Van Go 🚐

It was December of 2003; our little family was essentially ‘complete,’ one boy, one girl. Time to trade in the Jeep Grand Cherokee for something more road-trip-worthy. Station wagons were out. How could any self-respecting GenX purchase the bane of our childhood existence for their own family? No, it was time to throw away all pretense. The ‘Dad-joke’ era was at hand and we needed a vehicle to match.

The minivan was the 90s’ answer to the wood-paneled, rear-facing way way back seat of the wagon generation. And really, there were only two choices:

Honda Odyssey ❌

Toyota Sienna ✅

2003 Toyota Sienna XL

That pic is darn near what she looked like when we drove it off the lot on a cold December afternoon in the Philly suburbs. For a fleeting moment in time, the envy of our neighbors who were themselves contemplating this lifestyle ‘upgrade’ themselves.

And here she is today, on the last weekend I’ll ever drive her anywhere, because at about Noon, we struck a deal to sell to someone who needs it more.

It’s a bit strange to wax nostalgic about a couple tons of metal, carpet, and leather. The center console doesn’t ’stay down’ without repeated effort. The ‘way back’ windows no longer open/close when you press the button that’s meant to trigger that action, and one of the side doors won’t open from the outside. Oh, and don’t get me started on the retractable sun roof, a key selling point (why?!) a generation ago.

But our 28-year-old son, who started his minivan life in a booster seat in this baby, took it up to college himself for two years. He’s engaged to be married now; and it’s a little sad to know his ride won’t be tasked with strapping in a grandchild’s car seat.

Can a car feel like a member of the family? This one sure does. She’s made countless trips for vacations, to visit relatives, taking kids to school and jobs and ‘play dates,’ and to move band gear to and fro. Just two short weeks ago, ‘Sandy,’ as my daughter dubbed her when she was old enough to talk, helped move that same little angel, who started her minivan life in a baby seat, into her own grown-up apartment two decades later; making several trips from Rockland to Bergen in a single day to smooth the transition. A ‘giving tree’ on wheels…the van was happy. Gulp 😭.

I had to remove everything from her for the new owner. Still have a lump in my throat after ejecting ‘Finding Nemo’ from the DVD player and Kidz Bop 2 from the stereo. Talk about a time capsule!

Godspeed, Sandy. Thank you for protecting our family. For getting us there - and back home, safely - more times than I can remember. We’ll miss you 🥰