When we were engaged, Austin and I were talking about all those hard decisions we needed to make. How would we divide up holidays between our families? When and how often would we have a "date night"? And I was amazed at how easy it was to agree on all the big questions.
We have one checking account.
We can split holidays between our families. A blessing that comes with living in the same town as both sets of in-laws.
We will have date night at least once every other week with the goal of making "us time" at least once a week.
We will do the Dave Ramsey plan...
This is where it got a little more complicated. Because in my mind "The Dave Ramsey Plan" looked like us making a monthly budget and following it. Keeping cash in an envelope for gas and food and entertainment funds. Having "blow money" that we can do whatever we want with.
In his mind "The Dave Ramsey Plan" included selling my car so we didn't have a car payment.
Bridgette. My sleek, beautiful, BMW X3. The first automobile that I have ever purchased totally on my own. No help from my parents, no co-signer on the loan. All mine.
It's hard for Austin to understand my struggle to give her up. Not just because I worked so hard for her. Not only because she is a symbol of me being an adult, a real life grown up who can afford things like a new car all on my own; but, she's my independence also.
If I need to go on a spontaneous trip to Gerbes for some Ben & Jerry's Half Baked ice cream, I can just hop in Bridgette. If I get the urge on a gorgeous fall day to pack up the dogs and go to the park, I can just hop in Bridgette. If I need a day trip to the J-Crew outlet at the lake, I can just hop in Bridgette. On days when the only cure for a crappy mood is to zip down Rock Quarry with the panoramic moon roof open and the windows down, I have Bridgette.
But, marriage has taught me that sometimes, it's not about me. Or my independence. It's no longer about what I want or what I think is best for me, it's about what's best for us....what's going to be best for our family one day. It's about something bigger than just me.
So, I listed Bridgette for sale on craigslist. This weekend, I sold her to a guy named Grant after taking her for one last cruise down Rock Quarry with the top open and the windows down, enjoying the sun on my face and the wind through my hair.
Austin hugged me as we waited for Grant in the bank parking lot and said "come on, we can still back out, we'll just get in the car and drive off and tell him we changed our mind". But I knew it was the right thing to do for us. It was what was best. It made it better knowing that Austin understood... that even though it was best, it was still a little sad.
Austin also understands that when we've worked our plan and we're debt free and retired early, he owes me a trip to anywhere I want to go in the world...at least once a year. Thinking about that makes it easier too :)
Good-bye, Bridgette.
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