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Over the weekend, Nick and I ventured down to Indianapolis to test drive a Subaru. What started as a “We’re just going to take it for a spin,” turned into a “I LOVE THE WAY THIS CAR HANDLES,” test drive, which became an “Okay, we’re just going to take one more week to think about it,” followed by a “Well, what do you think, they are making us a great deal…”

Next thing you know, it’s 2 hours later and we’re holding keys to a new (to us anyway) vehicle in our hands and I’m doing a happy dance in the parking lot.

Let me just say, buying this car was a surreal experience on so many levels:

It’s the first car Nick and I have ever bought together — as in, it’s “our” car. Not his. Not mine. Ours. As all you married folk who’ve shared this kind of dual purchase know, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Buying this car also reminds us we’re another year older. And if you can’t tell from the picture, a Subaru Outback is a wagon. It’s middle name is Practicality. Which really brought home (as in smack dab in our faces) the “This is the vehicle you will have when you start a family in a few years” sentiment.

The most surreal part of it all? I’ve dreamed about owning a Subaru for years. I know, so random and weird right? I think someone in my family even joked when I told them, “Isn’t that a soccer mom car?” Sure, some people may see it that way. I see it as a great cross-over that fits our lifestyle — the dog fits in the back, the bikes fit in the back and Nick’s kayaks can find room on top. And if I had my pick between a Corvette and this Subaru, it’s the Subaru that would still be sitting in my driveway.

Yep, who am I kidding, Practicality is MY middle name.