There is the slightest hint of color reflecting off all the gray, dead looking trees outside. The greens of this year’s tulips have been up and out of the ground for weeks. The daffodils and hyacinths have all bloomed and the tulip trees are blooming. Most days are still uncomfortably chilly, but about once a week we get a warm and sunny day to remind us that Winter doesn’t last forever. That was Tuesday this week. The rest of the week was rainy, even snowy at times, and gross. But Tuesday? Tuesday was scooter weather. Tuesday I rode my scooter to work with a grin on my face. Then I rode my scooter to my chiropractic appointment at lunch time. From there, I almost did not go back to work because I was tempted to spend the rest of the day, zipping around the city with no destination in mind.

I haven’t said much about my new scooter, Valerie. I think there has been a part of me that has been holding back on fully embracing a new scooter. I was heartbroken over the loss of V. Devastated. I went to a real dark place. The only Vespa dealership in Kansas City is not my favorite place due to it’s misogynistic environment. The fun of shopping was diminished. I wasn’t buying a new scooter for the fun of it, because it was time and I deserved something new and shiny. I am going to admit that for the tiniest breath of a moment, I considered the idea of not replacing V. In that moment, I thought that maybe I was over the whole scooter thing and if I wanted two wheels, I’d just ride my bicycle. Even after the new scooter arrived, I was a bit hesitant to ride. It’s not that Valerie is so much different from V, but turn the signal buttons and the horn button aren’t quite in the same spots. I have to rewire my muscle memories and I’ve honked my horn a number of times while attempting to use my turn signal.

A shift in my feelings towards Valerie began when I finally put the rack and windshield on her, along with a permanent tag. I have yet to install the front rack and after watching a YouTube video on how to do so, I decided that I would not be installing the front rack. It involves a drill and drill bits. This feels like a job for someone more qualified than I. As it is, Valerie is now as decked out as V was, minus a few stickers. I’m on the hunt for a replacement Princess Leia sticker, but I did put a lovely rainbow ‘fuck fascism’ sticker on one side. Tuesday, as I rode to work, my heart swelled up with joy and that is when it truly hit me. It doesn’t matter what color, make or model of the Vespa. All that matters is that it is a candy colored, L-shaped swoosh of metal on two wheels and that it is zippy. My friend Sarah saw me leaving the parking garage for my chiropractor and when I came back she told me that I looked so chic. This is exactly the image I have of myself on any scooter. It’s how I felt when riding my old scooter and that feeling hasn’t changed with the new one.

I’m really thankful that I did not let that tiniest breath of a moment be longer than a tiniest breath.