Let the Good Times Roll!

Some of you know this; some of you don't. I love cars. I guess I came by it naturally, with dad being a mechanic.

Over the years, I've owned many cars, from the Mustang that started it all to the Civic that was a compromise back before we had kids, to the Odyssey that I chose just before Edie was born. They've all represented different times in my life and in mine and Wayne's lives.

I've been intrigued by the MINI Cooper since I saw the first ones several years ago. I built one on the MINI website; I pointed them out to Wayne each time we saw one; I discussed at length with Wayne the options I wanted on the car and debated the fun factor of the Cooper against the Volkswagen Beetle. I'll admit - I was a little obsessed with MINI's, but it was all in good fun.

Then came the test drive last July. Totally unexpected and so much fun! Driving that car with the top down was so exhilarating! Sadly, the test drive ended and the adult gene kicked back in. I didn't need a car just for fun, and we had other things we needed to spend the money on. Things done to the house, bills to pay. So the idea of the MINI went back on the shelf. I was okay with waiting a few more years for the car - it would make a great 40th birthday present, right?

Wayne changed the plan and ordered my car for my Christmas present. Saying that I was surprised would be an understatement. I really had no idea that he was planning that! So I looked over the order and made a couple of quick changes before the car went into production. Then the waiting began. When you buy a MINI, you can personalize the car from the get-go. You don't usually just go down to the dealership and buy what's on the lot - you go online and build car after car until you get to the one you want. Then it goes into production and you can track your car's progress.

My car didn't go into production until the 6th week of 2008, and it didn't arrive in South Carolina until early March. I took possession of it last Wednesday afternoon and haven't been able to remove the perma-grin from my face since then. Oh, and the kids love it, too!



I always knew Wayne was a great guy, and he didn't have to buy me a fun car to prove it to me. But the fact that he went to that length to give something so unique to me makes it that much more special. I sure do love him!