The Neighbors are Jealous.

There’s a new car in my driveway this afternoon, and it’s a very different car; it’s a Volkswagen Routan SEL. Certainly, it is the first one in our little suburban town. (My husband tells me “No,” he doesn’t think it is; he has seen a white Routan around lately. Hmpff.) I am thrilled. The marketing materials bill it “A Stylish Alternative to the Minivan.” It IS pretty cool. I have never driven a “new” car; all of my cars have been “previously owned.” I am anxious to get my hands on the keys.

My girlfriends from the neighborhood come right over for a look – they yell inside my house for Dan to bring out the keys…they want to get inside. Another neighbor leans over the fence for a peek. Others crane their necks as they walk their dogs past our house and I press the button that opens the sunroof.

My friends are funny; there are a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ as Dan demonstrates all the fancy features. (This baby has ALL the bells and whistles!) Automatic open sliding doors, automatic power trunk lift gate, dual DVD players, satellite radio and, of course, the third seat automatically folding into the floor and back out again over and over…That really is a work of genius. And I haven’t even gotten to the part yet that caused one friend to actually speak the words, “I am so jealous.” Rear windows that roll down. Yes, for those of us who are regularly driving 2000 and 2001 minivans with kids and dogs packed into the back, this is the single most enviable feature. Not the 4.0L V6, 253 horsepower engine or the safety features that are among the best in its class. Wow! But no, it’s not that. It’s the windows. Rear windows that roll down.

This summer, I’ll be cruisin’ in this sweet ride. Can’t wait to fill you in on all our adventures!

NOTE: I know you’re going to ask, because it’s the first question I would ask. It’s the first question anyone asks when they learn you’re driving a new car…. It’s black. With gray leather interior.

-Meg