Talula: A tribute

Today I had a new (and glorious) experience. I rode my bike while wearing a dress. And before Mama can fuss at me for not being lady-like, I'll go ahead and clarify that yes, I did wear my stretchy pants underneath. Eet's for fun.

I guess I could always learn to ride side-saddle, but I still felt like a princess.

See, this summer I've really fallen in love with that bike. The weather is starting to cool down, and while I love it because it means cuddle season is on its way, I'm a little bit worried about what it's going to do to my relationship with Talula.

See, we've been through so much together this year. Since I won the custody battle (Maddie decided I'd be a better parent than her grandparents' garage), Talula has been my primary means of transportation to and from work, dinner group, the grocery store, and to a bajillion parks in the area. We've gone up and down hills together. We've visited friends and family together. We've gone to Utah Lake together. We even went to the temple and looked at houses together, so I guess you could say it's gotten pretty serious.

Talula has taught me a new definition of summer, such that when I even think of the word, I will always think of trips to the library, picnics in the park, and riding along sidewalks that seem to have curves meant just for us--for my bike and me--to weave in and out, left and right, all for the pure joy of the ride.

Now, don't think that we haven't also had our fair share of unpleasant-ish experiences. There were those nasty hills that our friend Steven made us go up. There were those bumps in the sidewalk on the way to work that almost made my laptop fall out of the basket. And then there was our wreck when someone didn't see me trying to turn and smacked into Talula--right in the butt! But through all that, Talula has remained a strong, trusty, and pretty adorable friend.

In fact, she's done a lot of what all of my good friends do for me:

1. She makes me a happier person. Every time we go for a ride, I end up grinning from ear to ear.

2. She protects me physically. She jumped in front of a train car for me. (And I bet if some guy ever charged me with a machete, she'd let me hit him in the face with her.)

3. She protects me emotionally by giving me a way to escape from my own stressed thinking.

4. She gives me rides to places when I need them most.

5. She strengthens my friendships with others. (First of all, we go on bike rides with our dearest friends, but also since I'm all the time grinning, people are friendlier while we're riding down the street.)

6. She makes me look good. Seriously. Do you see this?

I mean DANG, right?

I guess what I'm trying to say is . . . just . . . this. Forever and ever.