Embrace The Real You

I have a confession.

I bought a minivan yesterday.

Why the big deal?  Well, I didn’t expect to feel this way about a vehicle.  To give you some background, the car I traded was a sporty, fast Saab.  A Saab that I really wanted to keep.  It was the perfect car for me because when I drove it, I didn’t feel like such a “mom”.  I have had this idea stuck in my head that moms can’t be cool, that they are only focused on getting their kids to soccer practice and preparing nutritious meals.  Talk about a stereotype!  Here I was, trying to be something I’m not by thinking that my car somehow defines me.  Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t.  Either way, I’m finally comfortable enough in my own skin not to care.

So, I bought a minivan.

Why?  Because I do have kids that need space.  Space for them, for football equipment, and cheerleading gear.  I want them to be able to watch movies in the car.  I want to be able to drive the carpool to school or take extra kids to games.  I want to embrace being a mom and feel proud.  The thing is, driving the Saab didn’t make me less of a mom to my kids.  It just made me feel like I was someone other than my true self for brief periods of time.  Well, I’m ready to be “real me” 24/7.

So, I bought a minivan.

What have you done to embrace the “real” you?