The joy of a purple van.

When deciding to paint Dandy purple, I never considered the amusement from onlookers. I simply wanted a van showcasing my favorite color and easy to spot in a crowd of mostly white vans.

I remember standing in the Maaco office, laughing and confirming several times the bright swatch was the one to use. Instead of the darker, much more subtle swatch they made me take home a few days prior as a second option.

When the paint job was finished, we were all SO delighted with Dandy’s new color. Vibrant purple on such a large vehicle instantly made us smile.

Turns out, that was the case for strangers across North America, too.

Dandy received the name Purple Oregon, from a sweet Canadian couple, while driving through Wisconsin and Michigan a few years back. We kept stopping at the same national parks and campsites over the course of a week. They said hello one evening and we’ve stayed connected ever since. I think it’s safe to say Dandy’s cheerful color sparked this lovely friendship.

On a few occasions, I’ve driven through small towns during a road trip while the local elementary school was outside for recess. The reactions were always the same. Groups of children running to the fence pointing, excitedly yelling, and dancing around with a sudden burst of extra energy. There’s always so much joy on both sides of these encounters.

The most waving and smiling always happen in my hometown. A combination of friends knowing it’s me and kids recognizing Dandy from the children’s book, Dandy the Van. If I drive through town there’s always messages waiting when I park, letting me know Dandy has been spotted. I giggle every time.

Having a purple van makes me happy. I love knowing Dandy’s bright color makes so many people happy, too.