Monday, June 20, 2011

a little family addition













after supper on our first date, robert told me he had something he wanted to show me back at his house. i looked out the window into the august night and whispered that i wasn't that kind of girl. he laughed, and pulled into the driveway. "i want you to check out my parent's 1985 volkswagon van!" he exclaimed. he popped open the top, and i watched as this almost stranger told me all about the memories he'd had in the van with his family, his boy scout troop, and his friends. and i think i fell in love with him a little bit on the spot.

eight years passed. and his parents sold the van. and we drove our little hondas around proudly. we took our sedans back and forth on the weekends to college, and made memories driving along the country roads near our home.

but last week, we saw this bad boy. a fully restored 1971 volkswagen camper bus. with a fresh paint job, new tires, new engine, re-sealed windows, and my favorite upgrade, heated seats. plus, there's a sink and an icebox. hello camping.

and we're in love. never before have we been treated with such attention driving around town. people stop and wave, give us thumbs up, and shout "love the bus!" it's so fun.

but the best part about our new ride? it got us thinking more seriously about filling the yellow and white checkered backseats with a little family. of bringing this whole story full circle. and holding robert's hand across the dashboard last night, i realized how perfect that first date turned out to be.

30 comments:

Steph said...

Holy cow! I love it! It would look great parked next to our little scamp. Enjoy!

Southhamsdarling said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Those vintage camper vans are just so much fun. As you probably saw from the photos, my daughter had a red and cream one to take her to her wedding last week, and my daughter & family in France have had one for ages. Yours looks great all newly renovated and it will be so exciting for you to go out and about in it. I love it when I go in my daughter's van and, you're right, everyone waves and it is just so much fun. Enjoy! The idea of a starting a little family sounds heavenly too!! Hugs.

MADMommy said...

its beautiful!! congratulations!

Laura Darling said...

I love this!! I've actually never seen the inside of one of these before! So neat to have that in your family now, and what a great story to go along with it!

Dee Paulino said...

holy molly! Reading about your first date, I couldn't help but think "it was meant to be, even from day one."

what a beautiful van, and the story behind it makes it even more special.

Grace said...

Lucky!!! I love it! So vintage. So cute! It must be a blast riding in it. I've been eyeing one of these on pinterest lately, except the one I want would be pink. ;)

Christi said...

As I told Robert on Facebook, I am oh so jealous!!! LOVE it!!! I hope you all make many lasting memories in that van of your own.

kimbirdy said...

wow, it's beautiful! whoever restored it did a great job. my college boyfriend lived in his vw camper bus. he parked it next to another friend's house so he could hook up to electricity, and just used our school gymn's showers to get ready everyday. he was a total hippy and i loved it. ;) now you need to go on another road trip!

McKinley {Haolepinos} said...

I LOVE IT!!! It looks like it is in great condition, the color is wonderful. It may be the closest thing to perfect ahahhah.

erika said...

Amazing! So fun.

Amber said...

Oh my goodness that bus is so RAD! I would love to have one of my very own but they are hard to come by. If you ever take a trip to the northeast, mind taking me for a ride :)

Anonymous said...

ohmygoodness how cool is that!!! i'm going to show my husband, he loves these.

ps-
i've been missing from around here lately b/c i've been caught up in the shop and really trying to grow and build. in a non creepy way, miss you!

Janette said...

WHATTT?? That thing is sooo cool! Oh and love the family pic!


Janette, the Jongleur

Unknown said...

HOW FUN IS THAT!?? That's is so awesome! I've never seen the inside, nor one that has been taken care of so nicely! Congrats to the new edition! The three of you look lovely in it, I can only imagine how adorable an entire family of yours would look like it it! :)

Gage said...

so fun! you are absolutely beautiful and i really love your blog header. :)

Shalyn said...

You have no idea how jealous I am right now- those are so fun!Adorable photos!

becca said...

I can't believe you actually have one of these!
super sweet.
jeez, so jealous.

Anonymous said...

You have beautiful dreams (they are so beautiful that they ache my heart) and I know in my heart as I pray for you and your family daily that He will certainly fulfill all your dreams and more!--as He so often does in our lives!

You and Robert are perfect!
And Pablo of course!

Love all the photos.

Falling in love with your words more and more each day.

Melissa said...

my heart skipped a little in anticipation of all the love that will fill that *VW* when I got to the end of your words...

I love that little family addition- and I love how it made some decisions in your day...littler people thoughts...

you write beautifully...

melissa - Miss Sew & So x

PS- your thoughts on Post offices, heating , a little bell at the door, and your dad had tears rolling down my cheeks...I could read this everyday!

Daydream Living said...

Hi courtney,
I'm not in the blogging mood, but just wanted to say that I LOVE your campervan, it's one of the things on my wishlist....
Sadly we had to say goodbye to Mackenzie, our pug, so I will be back next week...
Enjoy the van, hugs,
Maureen x

Amy @ AGirlCalledBeloved said...

Gosh it's beautiful! Have you named it yet?!
What a dream come true!

Unknown said...

Courtney! This bus is exactly what my husband and I have been looking for, too!
I showed him your post - we both agree you guys are the cutest couple and this bus "is you". It's very much your style (the yellow suitcase is awesome, I saw a brown one at Goodwill today, but left it there... and by now I wish I hadn't!)

May you guys have a lot of wonderful camping trips, and many more with your future family!

♥ Bibi

Jeska said...

Aww so sweet! Cute pictures. Can't wait for you to say you're having a little one :)

Joy said...

That is in the top 5 cutest first date stories I have ever heard! And you have my dream car, uh so pretty!

kate said...

ahh i love this! my dream has always been to own a 1967 vw bus and this is absolutely adorable! you two look perfect inside of it with little pablo! i cant wait for more posts to come involving this wonderful little addition to your family :)

Brandi said...

It's absolutely adorable! You two are going to have so much fun with this. It may not be the same one he first showed you, but I'm sure you knew in that moment how special he is.

Some Korean Website Highjacker said...

oh my gaaaaaaa! Sean would pop a gasket at the sight of it. he is in LOOOOVE with VW Vans and yours is stellar. congrats on this new 4 wheeled haven. i know you two will be rollin' along in bliss for many years to come. ♥

Cara-Mia said...

Oh! This is so fun!! I love this little bus. We had a motorhome when I was a kid and we drove across the country in it a few times and it was probably one of the best parts of my childhood. If you do fill this with little children, I'm sure they'll feel the same way. :)

Claire said...

oh. How lucky are you! I love these, i neeeeearly bought one....but got a Landrover..one day though...!

Stephanie said...

Sweetest van EVER!!!!

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