Bye bye Betty

You know how certain moments in your life make you realize that you've passed certain life markers? Like the first time I had my period and I realized that life is gonna suck for the next 50 years. No. I kid. I realized that I'm no longer a girl. Ok. I didn't actually realize that at the moment. But it was a profound moment none the less. Or my first paycheck from the job after college. It was a beautiful moment to know that I didn't have to ask my parents for lunch money. The day I got Betty, my crystal blue convertible Miata. Now that was a moment. I've been wanting a Miata ever since the first model introduced in 1989. I researched the dealership, researched the price, researched the financing. I couldn't believe that I was going to buy it. Nay. Not just buy it. But ordered it in the exact specifications I want. When it was delivered, it had 3 miles on it. And as I laid my eyes on it for the first time, I knew its name was Betty. That was back in 2002. That car and I have been through everything: an accident, a car-gasm, first date with BWB, my drive-away car at the wedding.
But this is where Betty and I must part. It never occurred to me that Betty wouldn't be with me until she dies. The whole thing started when my mom asked if I intend to get a new car since a 2-seater convertible is hardly the appropriate vehicle for a family. After much deliberation, BWB and I made the choice to let Betty go. In one swift moment, I went from single gal with a convertible to married gal with a convertible to mom. I'm already looking forward to the day all my imaginary kids have left the imaginary nest so I can buy another Miata, Betty Deux.