A Jeep For Your Little One

Every mom dreams of that one moment in her empty nest years: hearing the

words, "Mom, you’re going to be a grandma!" My heart skipped a beat, bursting with joy

as I let the news sink in. In that instant, my world felt more complete than ever.

Soon enough, the excitement turned into planning mode—starting with a gender

reveal party. My daughter kept her secret well; I was completely in the dark. Would it be

a boy or a girl? As a mom to a daughter, I couldn’t help but hope for a girl—a chance to

relive the joy of pretty dresses and the magic of helping to raise her into a strong,

beautiful young woman.

At the reveal party, I proudly stood with Team Girl, though we were

outnumbered—just five of us against thirty-three rooting for Team Boy. The anticipation

was electric as the moment of truth arrived. Blue or pink? Then, in an explosion of pink

powder, the answer was revealed—YES! I’m going to be a girl grandma!

In that instant, I knew I wanted to create something special for her—a mini-

JeepHERS inspired by my beloved Aquamarine. My greatest hope is that she’ll grow to

share my love of jeeping, discovering the thrill and adventure at an early age.

Jeep Inspiration

My Jeep is inspired by mermaids—a reflection of my identity as a female scuba

diver. In the diving community, we’re often referred to as ‘Mermaids,’ and I wear that title

with pride. Scuba diving has always been a passion of mine, and it’s even more special

because my now-pregnant daughter and I became dive-certified together as her graduation

present. I’ll never forget the moment a little girl on the beach pointed at me and said,

‘Mommy, a girl diver!’ That simple comment filled me with pride, knowing I could be a

role model for young girls.

How Aquamarine Got Her Name

I named my Jeep ‘Aquamarine’ to honor my love of the sea and its connection to

mermaids. According to legend, aquamarine gemstones were said to be treasures from

a mermaid’s chest or lost by sirens. In Greek and Roman mythology, this jewel was

known as Neptune’s sacred jewel and a talisman for sailors. It was believed to calm

stormy seas, protect seafarers from danger, and bring safe passage. Warriors even

carried aquamarine into battle for courage and victory. For me, the name ‘Aquamarine’

also represents my love of teal and my strength in overcoming some difficult chapters in

life and hopes of brighter future.

Aquamarine + Jeep Life

My Jeep, with its silver base, aquamarine accents, teal lights, mermaid hood

wrap, and tire cover, has become a symbol of peace and serenity for me. Through

jeeping, I’ve connected with incredible women who have enriched my life, and driving

my Jeep brings me a deep sense of tranquility. It’s a legacy I hope to pass on to my

granddaughter—sharing the joy, strength, and adventure that Aquamarine represents.

Lil Aquamarine's Journey

I began the hunt for a mini–Power Wheels Jeep, determined to find one I could

transform into a mini version of my beloved Aquamarine. Of course, they’re built

differently from real Jeeps, so I needed a body style that could resemble mine. The

color was the next challenge—I spent months searching for a silver Jeep, but it seemed

impossible to find. Eventually, I discovered a white one, which turned out to be the

perfect blank canvas.

With fine-grade sandpaper in hand, I meticulously prepped the entire Jeep before

painting it with high-heat silver spray paint and adding a protective clear coat. Then

came the fun part! Using my Cricut, I crafted custom decals to match mine, and

purchased a Mermaid-rated Trail Badge, and a Freedom JeepHers Trail Badge, and a

mini windshield banner. The finishing touches were the hood decal and an adorable

mermaid duck. At last, Lil Aquamarine came to life, a spitting image of her big sister!

The moment was surreal as I parked Aquamarine in the yard and staged Lil

Aquamarine beside her. Like any proud Jeeper, I captured photos of the two side by

side and shared them on social media. But the real excitement was yet to come—I

loaded up all the birthday presents and headed to my sweet granddaughter Mary’s first

birthday party, bursting with pride over this cool, fun gift.

Lil Aquamarine Hits The Dirt

Lil Aquamarine is even remote-controlled, so Mommy and Daddy can take the

wheel until Mary is ready to drive herself. Seeing her face light up made every bit of

effort worthwhile. Let’s just say it—Mary’s Grandma is officially the coolest one around!

Mary is just starting to find her footing, and every time she sees Lil Aquamarine,

her face lights up with the sweetest grin. At her party, the older kids couldn’t get enough

of it, climbing in and having the time of their lives. Mary, however, was a bit

overstimulated with all the excitement. But the very next day, something magical

happened—her love for Jeeping began to blossom.

‘Jeep’ quickly became one of her first words, and now she joyfully calls out,

‘Jeep! Jeep!’ whenever she wants to go outside and ride. Her Daddy happily takes her

for spins, and it fills my heart to know that I’ve introduced her to the wonderful world of

Jeeping. I pray it brings her the same joy, friendships, and adventures it has given me.

As Mary grows, I hope she’ll come to realize that her little Jeep is a reflection of

mine. More than that, I hope she feels the love and care poured into it and builds an

unbreakable bond with me through our shared Jeeping adventures.