In 2007, I turned 50. For my mid-life crisis, I pondered a facelift, a boyfriend, or a new car. I opted for a used, 5-speed, convertible Mini Cooper. Driving it, with the wind blowing in my hair, it checked all the boxes: fast, fun, and dangerous.
Back to Today
Six months ago, I had the Mini shipped to Miami for me to use while I was working at FAB’s Florida office. A convertible in Florida … Hell yeah! It seemed like a good idea. The car was small for easy parking, and fast for slipping in and out of the traffic. But something I didn’t consider was how old it was.
Even though the 20-year-old car only had 50,000 miles on it, it was aged. My custom built, John Cooper Works Mini no longer felt reliable for a lone woman to drive in the big city, especially with no family nearby.
Now, after an almost 2-decade love affair, it was time to let go of my pseudo-boyfriend. Trading in Mr. Mini Cooper was personal and, in some weird way, parallel to my own aging body. It was emotional, but necessary.
Goodbye old friend.
