On the Road with Nadine
After 3 months, 60 days and 400+ hours of work, trials and errors, fights with each other, traumas with everyone else, living and reaching a breaking point with my in-laws, and a global pandemic, the van is complete. We’re consumed with emotions of relief, stress, nervousness, excitement, and sadness. And whether we’re ready or not, we’re about to begin the adventure of a lifetime.
The van is a 2019 Ford Transit we bought all in for $26,000. It’s a 150, medium roof, and has some cosmetic damage on the outside that people think we caused with the build. But other than that, the van’s in incredible condition and only has 12,000 miles. Plus it looks absolutely beautiful with all the hard work we did.
The van’s main feature are the custom cabinets Jason and his Dad built. Not only did they continue the grain pattern, but the cabinets are made of ash from trees cut down on the property. In fact, all the wood is from the family’s property. Our countertop has a live edge, and along with the doors under the bed, are made of oak while our mountain doors are made from cherry, pear, and ipe (although tropical, it’s left over from the deck so it counts). Our sink and refrigerator are black while our faucet is copper, which adds a nice contrast. The walls are painted white and the subway tile in the kitchen is peel and stick but looks real to us. My Mother-in-law and I made the vinyl seat cushions for the two benches and I built the attached plant box. I also painted the blue mountains and trees for the back panels. And although we love it all, our favorite part is the 3 buffalo my Mother-in-law painted for our side door.
We discuss a name often but nothing seems to stick. “Little Yellow” for the surprise zip tie we found attached to the wiper? “Freedom Rose” for the bird my Mother-in-law and I saved? Something about Jersey, maybe? After many ideas and none that appear to hold meaning, we eventually come to the conclusion to name her after the person that made this dream possible. Jason’s Nana, Nadine. Nadine may be the most incredible human I know. At 92, her intelligence outweighs anyone I’ve ever met and her compassion is something I strive for. I remind myself often how lucky I am to still have 3 living grandparents and to have her in my life as well. Without her, Jason and I would be in a very different position. It’s something we make sure to never forget.
So as we pull away from the place we’ve called home from the months March through May, we’re on the road with Nadine.
