Baby, a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She was my very first vehicle. After being passed down from my mom, to my dad, to me, we are finally saying goodbye...

Baby,

When dad told me we had to sell you, tears came to my eyes and everything we had been through together flooded my mind. You watched me grow from a toddler that cannot hold her apple juice to a college student that still cannot hold her "apple juice". You became mine half way through my high school career after a deer wrecked mom's suburban, forcing her to get a new car. By this time, your driver's side door could not be opened, the CD player was nonexistent, a giant stick was the only thing keeping the back hatch up, and the sunroof was practically glued shut. You used to be an unwanted struggle, but I soon fell so deep in love with you. I still cannot believe I will soon come home to an empty driveway.

Despite all your extra feature deformities, you stayed faithful to me, until the summer before my senior year. The first betrayal was when your engine exploded as we were leaving the first ever Baxter fair. I was so scared that this was the end of our journey, but you pulled through and one month later we were on the road again! The second time was when your alternator went out leaving the lake house that same summer. I will never forget the stop and go all through the back roads of Tansi and Monterey or that cold ride back home in the back of the topless jeep. We got you running again just in time for Senior Year!

There were so many adventures that year... Long drives to the edge of DeKalb County late at night; my first job; when my homecoming crown ripped a hole in your headliner; the tears after senior night; trying to make it up the hill during the snowstorm... failing. You did not get to go to Prom or May Day due to carpooling, but you were at the big event. You were with me my last hour as a high school student and the first hour as a UHS alumnus.

That summer, you and I were never apart. You caught my tears when news of the divorce got out. You hauled my stuff to my "first house" with my best friend. You got your interstate time when I was late for work. You got to watch my first time coaching softball and us win the championship!

You had to stay home my first semester of college. But in January, I had my best friend back! You got to meet all my new friends and see how much I had grown up. You were the go to girl, when we needed food during the snow-pocalypse. You watched the growth and fall of my first relationship. You were there when I made new friends and connected back with old ones. You stayed strong throughout your time on the mountain. You said your final goodbye to my new life on move out day.

We took some time apart over the summer. As the date of moving back to TC was fast approaching, I was gifted with Vanessa, a 2014 Nissan Versa note. Our time together was over...

You watched me grow. You stayed good to me no matter how bad I got. You taught me to appreciate everything I have. I will never forget you.

As long as I am living, my Baby, you'll be.

-S