It was the year 1999. I had just gotten a raise at my (then) job and things were looking up. I always wanted a convertible, and I had the opportunity to get one. So I decided to splurge and bought one. It was a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Her name was “Betsy” (as in Itsy, Bitsy Spider… I don’t know why, but I have an obsession with naming my cars.). My family and friends—and even my husband—thought I’d regret it, saying that I would never have the top down because we don’t get too many warm, sunny days (Hello, we live in California!), and that my hair would get messy. Guess what? They were wrong! I loved driving Betsy. I felt free and alive! I loved to feel the wind whipping through my hair and hearing the whirring sound of the cars that passed me (or those I zoomed by. Hee-hee!). I especially loved warm, summer nights when I could cruise around town with the top down. Betsy and I, owning the road. Ahhh…. freedom!
Fast forward five years: 2004… I was pregnant with my first child. My husband and I went back and forth as to who had to trade in their car for a family car. Back then my husband drove a 2-door pickup truck. My argument was that there was no way that we would all fit in his truck with a car seat between us if an emergency should arise. His argument was that there was no way he was going to put his child in a soft-top convertible, even if the top was up! So back and forth we went, until a month before I was due, when… I gave in. I traded my convertible for a Mommy Taxi. A big, bulky SUV! It was a Honda Pilot, and I named her “Amelia” (as in Amelia Earhart, get it?).
The day we traded Betsy in, I asked my husband to give me a moment alone to say “goodbye” to her. I carefully emptied her out and slowly walked around her, giving her my last once over. I even hugged her and cried. I cried real tears. I couldn’t believe I was giving her up. I guess inside me it felt like I was giving up my freedom, and closing a chapter of my carefree life. A couple weeks later, Miranda was born. (She was two weeks early!) Once I saw my new baby, I couldn’t imagine ever putting her in a convertible. I guess once I became a mother, something switched on and told me that it’s now time to put someone else first. Don’t get me wrong, I still miss Betsy, and when I see a convertible whiz by me, I long to be in the driver’s seat of a convertible once again, feeling the wind in my hair and enjoying the sunshine. Someday, Betsy… We’ll meet again.
Le Top blog 
I name all my cars too! My Civic (2 door) that I have had since I was in High School is named Sissy! My College roommate named her that, it was so cute! My husband and I just bought a new Mazda (4 door- for those kiddos in the FUTURE!) and we have yet to name her….rather “I” have yet to name her, my husband thinks I am crazy. So glad to know I am not the only one who names my cars. I love your names Jamee, you are so creative. Guess I better get those creative juices running and get the Mazda a good-fitting name!
I always liked the idea of naming cars, ever since my college roommate first brought this practice to my attention. She called hers “Ruby”. Can’t remember what make or model, but it was a big, old, loud beast, painted…well, ruby red! Now, whenever I hear someone call their car by a name, I always think of my friend Judy and her car, Ruby.
The only car I ever name was Gretta. She was my 1974 2002 BMW. She was fabulous. Now I drive a slightly newer car BMW though it still has a ton of miles on it. I have to admit I’m thinking more and more about a newer car because the last thing I want is to have it breakdown with my daughter in the car, especially with the weather the way it’s been the last few days. Safety is not something I thought about as much as I do now. It takes so long to put her in the car it makes me feel a bit vulnerable. I used to own a convertible in high school but I think those days are behind me until I hit my mid-life crisis. 🙂
Our cars get us through a lot… of course we should name them! I didn’t have cars in high school, but that didn’t stop me from naming my friend’s cars… one was Marla, the next one was Tyler. My last car’s name was Gretta, and she definitely fit the name! The car we have now (2004 Audi S4) we never really planned to keep, so I didn’t name her just in case I would get too attached…