I’ve loved Volkswagens since before I can remember. Growing up, I would see those old VW vans and imagine the cross-country road trips I could take in those with my family I’d have one day. As I got older, I found myself noticing every VW Beetle that passed me on the road, wishing so badly that I’d have one when I could drive. I also couldn’t help but pin every cliche VW van post on Pinterest. I was obsessed, still am.

When I turned 15, driving days were quickly approaching, and I knew exactly what I wanted: a VW Beetle. I saved up, my parents agreed to help me, and I searched high and low for the perfect VW Beetle. Since it was my first car, I wasn’t going to settle for just anything. I found tons of silver and black VW Beetle’s, but I wanted a special one. When I turned 16, I still hadn’t found the perfect car, but no worries, I continued to look. Come September, I was still driving my parent’s minivan and it was getting awfully old. Oct. 7, 2012, changed everything. My dad had heard of an older man who had a bug he was looking to sell to the perfect owner. My mom and I drove an hour and a half to check out the car, not knowing much about it. When I saw it, I knew immediately it was the car for me. Sprout, as I would call it, was a custom color, a mix of green and yellow. It was absolutely perfect, I can still remember how excited I was when the man agreed to give it to me for the exact amount of money I had and how fun it was driving it the entire hour and a half home.

My first week with Sprout, I became the taxi in my friend group, but I didn’t care, because I loved driving my little VW Beetle more than anything. Sprout lasted me all the way through my freshman year of college and then died a month into my sophomore year. It was devastating (seriously, I’m not being dramatic, I cried my eyes out), but my time with Sprout had come to an end. It was fun while it lasted, but now onto the next thing: another VW! I just got an old VW Cabrio and I couldn’t be more excited to keep my VW reputation.

There’s something about VW’s that I just find so intriguing, and I know I’m not the only one. VWs hold a certain history and character, unlike any old car. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the every day Honda Civic, but the joy I find in VW’s will never compare to any other make of cars.

For anyone who has the joy of driving one of these unique cars, consider yourself blessed, or don’t, but at least know that someone finds joy in them.

Meet Sprout, my forever favorite VW.

And, the unnamed VW Cabrio.