When I was in elementary school, my dad bought me a red skateboard. I can’t remember exactly how old I was, but I remember exactly what the board looked like. It was a red plastic board, with red semi-translucent wheels. It had a tail on one end that tipped up, and a pointy/tapered front end.

Honestly, I don’t remember spending too much time on the skateboard. I didn’t have the best balance, and fell a lot. Still, I thought the board was pretty cool.

Fast forward 30+ years. Josh hinted that he wanted a 3-wheel skooter. I had a brilliant idea that a skateboard would be a good idea. I got online to look for one for him (because I have an online shopping addiction). Lo and behold, the skateboard I used to have is now considered retro but fashionable again.

The advantage of being old, is the stuff that was cool when you’re a kid is now cool again!

I clicked “add to cart” on a blue board for Josh. Then I had another brilliant idea–I’ll get one for myself! You know, so Josh has someone to ride with. It’s all for him, really.

Maybe it’s mid-life crisis. The month I turn 40, I buy a retro skateboard for myself. In hindsight, I’m not sure what I was thinking.

Anyway, the boards arrived, and both Josh and I were very excited. We took the boards with us on a trip to Whistler, and spent a few hours each day goofing around with them. Josh just wanted to sit on the board and roll downhill, and I let him. No point ruining his first experience with it by pushing him to ride it. I tried riding the board, and all the carefree childhood memories come flooding back. This new board rides smooth like butter and gets fast pretty quick.

Over the next couple of weeks, Josh rode while standing on the board with me holding his hand and pushed him along. Eventually, I could just push him without holding his hand. He was learning the balance pretty quickly. Then this past weekend, he was able to stand on the board and roll downhill on his own, without any help from me. I was so stoked for him!