Meet Wendy Auger from New Hampshire, a mother of four boys who encountered an unexpected challenge with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For the past 15 years, Wendy’s car proudly sported a vanity license plate that read “PB4WEGO.”
For her, it wasn’t just any plate, but a charming reminder of an often-repeated parental mantra to her children: “pee before we go.”
As any parent might know, this can be an essential precautionary measure when setting out on journeys big or small.
However, things took a twist when the DMV surprised Wendy with a request she never saw coming—they wanted her to relinquish her beloved plates. Why you might ask?
The DMV officials labeled the plate’s message as inappropriate, suggesting it had references to “sexual or excretory acts.” For Wendy and her family, this decision seemed farfetched and didn’t sit well.
After all, it was purely a family inside joke, a slice of their everyday life etched in metal and carried along wherever they went.
Not one to back down, Wendy took her story to social media, and what happened next was nothing short of spectacular. Her post quickly gained traction, sparking a groundswell of support from her community and beyond. People everywhere could relate to playful, personal stories like hers.
Even New Hampshire’s Governor at the time, Chris Sununu, took notice. Understanding the relatable nature of Wendy’s story, he stepped in to address the situation personally.
The Governor’s intervention turned the tide in Wendy’s favor, much to her delight and that of her supporters. Social media buzzed with updates, and come August 28, 2019, Wendy had exciting news to share.
With warmth and happiness, she posted to her online followers that she had won the battle. Her cherished “PB4WEGO” plates were hers once more. It was a victory not just for Wendy but for the individuality and familial humor that many cherish.
The story is a heartening reminder of how simple family rituals can bring us together and make even cars feel like extensions of home. It also showcases the power of community support in influencing decisions that matter on a smaller, more personal scale.
Wendy’s story resonates with so many parents who understand the need for whimsical yet practical reminders for their children.
In reflecting on this experience, it’s clear that Wendy’s narrative moves beyond a mere license plate issue. It speaks to maintaining a sense of humor and personal identity among the sometimes rigid and impersonal nature of regulations.
For her, it wasn’t merely about a piece of metal—it was about standing up for something that encapsulated her family’s journey and memories made along the many roads they’ve traveled together.
And so, the saga of “PB4WEGO” perhaps will take on a life of its own, becoming an anecdote shared over family dinners and social gatherings.
It serves as a testament to the enduring bonds of family ties and the little jokes that make up the fabric of our lives. It’s the laughter in the rearview mirror, the good-natured reminder echoing before you pull out of the driveway.
In the world of vanity plates, “PB4WEGO” stands out not only for its playful message but for the story of resilience and community support behind its retention.
In the years to come, Wendy will likely continue to cruise through life with her beloved plates, carrying a bit of laughter and a family’s spirit wherever her travels might take her.
Who knows, it might even inspire more creative vanity plates that capture the humor and unique moments we all cherish in our everyday lives.