Surprise Bronco Reveal for Cancer Survivor Wife

[AbsoluteFord]

This is awesome! You are awesome! Congrats, enjoy the hell out of that Bronco!

Sponsored

 

[805Bronco]

Congrats to Maureen first beating cancer back!

And what a great story!

Similarly, my wife is also a cancer survivor (a little over 10 years out now). It not only takes a toll on the person involved directly in the fight; but also the rest of the family. Stay strong bro!

During the heat of my wife's battle (first few rounds of chemo), we had a great laugh when she told me I don't know what it's like to be bald when chemo caused hair loss (I'm in my 60's now, but started loosing my hair in my mid-20's). After those words rolled off her lips, I immediately asked if she was looking at me (I'm completely bald). I followed that with - if she meant I don't know what it's like to be bald knowing that unlike me, her hair was going to grow back, then she was right. We both burst out laughing, which was what was needed at the moment.

Congrats to Maureen on her ride!!! Enjoy every moment...

 

[802Bronco]

Congrats to Maureen first beating cancer back!

And what a great story!

Similarly, my wife is also a cancer survivor (a little over 10 years out now). It not only takes a toll on the person involved directly in the fight; but also the rest of the family. Stay strong bro!

During the heat of my wife's battle (first few rounds of chemo), we had a great laugh when she told me I don't know what it's like to be bald when chemo caused hair loss (I'm in my 60's now, but started loosing my hair in my mid-20's). After those words rolled off her lips, I immediately asked if she was looking at me (I'm completely bald). I followed that with - if she meant I don't know what it's like to be bald knowing that unlike me, her hair was going to grow back, then she was right. We both burst out laughing, which was what was needed at the moment.

Congrats to Maureen on her ride!!! Enjoy every moment...

Some of our best moments were teetering between laughter and tears in the midst of the battle.

 

[LadyBronco]

You are a wonderful husband! This is a beautiful story and I love to see how surprised and excited she was when she seen it up close. I wanted to tell her “get in the driver seat!” It was adorable thank you for sharing this with us!

 

[Squatchn']

That was an amazing thing you did. I don't think I could have kept a secret going for that long. Kudos to you for having a plan and seeing it through no matter what curveballs were thrown your way. Congratulations on the new Bronco, and I hope she has many many years of enjoyment with it!

 

[Julz670]

How dare you give me tingly watery eye feelings while I'm at work! So happy for you both! I hope you have amazing adventures in that Bronco for many years to come!

 

[TheShark]

Those wheels are from Black Rhino, purchased from Hubcap, Wheel and Tire in Florida, they had the best price. The tires are
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 LT305/65R18/E 124/121R
bought from Walmart. They are a 12mm offset which pushes them out a bit, so I bought a set of Squatch flares which have not been installed yet. I also bought centering ring spacers to assure proper hub to wheel contact. The tires were HARD to balance and had to be done at a specialty off road shop. We live on and regularly drive dirt roads, most of the roads in our town are dirt. It throws mud and spray like crazy with that much poke. Just trying to decide whether or not to have them sealed and color matched, IDK. It was my goal to make the truck uniquely hers without going crazy. I was nervous about the wheels, they are LOUD. But either people are being kind or everyone loves them, we have only received compliments.

That's funny, Black Rhino's was one of the wheels I've been looking at, They are loud but they really make the Bronco "POP" and you certainly made a unique truck for Maureen.

Wish you guys the best of luck and many happy miles.

 

[2021WILDTRAKCDH]

I truly enjoyed reading about your journey and sharing such a personal event in your life with this forum...I am happy to hear your wife is healthy and happy...It is great to hear something positive happening amidst all these issues that many are facing today...Hearing about your personal story and success motivates and inspires me!!! Thank you and Happy Holidays---
PS---That Bronco is pretty special---don't ever sell it.

 

[DebbieEF]

A big THANK YOU to all the Bronco6G members who supported my journey through this process!! Maureen LOVES her Bronco. Here is a bronco nation article and the video reveal. To those still waiting, I PROMISE the truck is worth the wait. It is an amazing vehicle. See you on the road, on the trails and at the beach!! PEACE, Michael and Maureen.

Story by Becky Celestini of BRONCO NATION

BY BECKY CELESTINI, BRONCO NATION

STORY

There are love stories … and there are Bronco love stories. Michael and Maureen’s is the perfect combo of both. After 24 years of ups and downs, this Vermont couple just added another chapter to their story when Michael surprised Maureen with the keys to a new Bronco.

Their beginning was really quite simple. Boy goes into a bar. Boy meets girl playing bar games. Boy falls for a beautiful smile and crazy gorgeous blue eyes.

“I met Maureen after work at a bar at Mount Snow, where she was a ski instructor –– and is now the Ski School Director,” said Michael. “Maureen was winning; there was lots of laughter, and I asked my friend who she was. After a bit, she agreed to go on a date — and I told my friend Steve after that first date that I was going to marry her. I was right!”

The rest, they say, is history. They tied the knot with a big wedding celebration, surrounded by 275 of their closest family and friends, took an incredible honeymoon to Ireland, and began their life together. They built their dream home and shared an idyllic New England life with their three amazing sons, ages 26, 20, and 15. Together, the family loves to go out on their ski boat, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, and skiing in the winter.

And then, six years ago, the unthinkable happened: Maureen was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was discovered during routine mammograms that Maureen had three separate tumors and some microscopic involvement in her sentinel node. This was devastating news for the family, as their Warrior was now facing the battle of her life. They sought multiple opinions to determine her best treatment options. And, after years of many painful surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy — which made her very ill and caused her to lose her hair — Maureen is now cancer free.

“There are still challenges and worries every day, but Maureen is alive, and we still get to do what we want. She soldiers through it and rarely complains, never makes excuses,” said Michael. Today, she supports other women battling the disease and continues to keep busy with her work as the first woman ski school director at Mount Snow. Her new Bronco will make it easier to get to and from work on the muddy, snowy roads.

“This is why I think she is a Warrior. She went off to battle, saw and experienced lots of horrible stuff and lives with the scars and damage every single day,” said Michael. “She worries the cancer could return. You would never know it if you met her in person. You would just see that beautiful smile and those great eyes. She would invite you in and make sure you were fed and taken care of. Because that is who she is. A kick-ass warrior, a loving wife, an amazing mom, and my best friend. No excuses, no complaints. I couldn’t wait to give her this Bronco.”

Reserving Maureen’s Bronco

Maureen drove minivans for almost all of her married life. While they worked well to move their kids around and transport skis and gear, Maureen needed a change. “Last winter she got frustrated with the 2WD drive minivan and started taking my 4WD drive truck,” said Michael. “So then I had to drive the minivan, and she drove my F-150 (with like six hair scrunchies on the shifter!). I needed that Bronco to get here so I could get my truck back!”

The couple had already begun looking for a new vehicle when it was announced that the Bronco was coming back. Michael shared it with Maureen, and he said her eyes got big, and she right away said, “Wow, that is the coolest thing … I want that!” They agreed to put the deposit down, and Michael made his reservation close to the rollout in July 2020. “I started regretting having showed it to her, because I realized I wanted to surprise her. So I told her it was more than we should spend, and we agreed to look at some small crossovers like the CRV or the Escape.” Maureen continued to mention the Bronco, but Michael lied and told her he had cancelled their reservation. “I felt AWFUL!”

Maureen was obviously disappointed but understood. On a mission to find herself the perfect new vehicle, she test drove many different options last summer. But this breast cancer survivor was not doing it alone. Maureen continued her car search with her sister, who was suddenly facing her own breast cancer battle. Maureen took on the supportive sister role, going to appointments with her sister and helping her through the process. “After her appointments, my sister would not always be feeling great, so we’d go to dealerships and test drive cars,” said Maureen. “We would be like Thelma and Louise and drive down the road with the sunroof open and just have fun.” And despite never even seeing a Bronco in “real life” during any of those adventures, that remained at the top of her list. Little did she know …

Building Maureen’s Bronco

Michael kept working behind the scenes to get the Bronco just right. The original plan was to give Maureen the Bronco for their 24th wedding anniversary on August 9th of this year. And with an initial build date the week of June 7, 2021 — Michael was optimistic it was going to happen. But, just like so many other Bronco Nation members, Maureen’s Bronco was delayed. And delayed. And delayed. NINE times, in fact. As frustrating as the delays were, Michael saw this as an opportunity to save a little more money for the Bronco and accessories.

Michael chose a two-door model over a four-door for a couple of reasons. “I thought the shorter wheelbase would be easier to park and maneuver in the crowded mountain parking lot. I also wanted to stay true to the original Bronco,” he said. “And if we need more space, we have my truck.” At first, Michael said he was worried he was building a “Michael Bronco.” But he knows his wife well, and the pair had multiple conversations about what Maureen wanted in a vehicle, so he made all the selections. Here’s the scoop on the build:

• Outer Banks in Antimatter Blue (blue and black are Maureen’s favorite car colors, so this can be both)
• It has the Roast cloth interior (she only likes cloth seats)
• High package; auxiliary switches, towing, keyless entry, roof rack, floor liners, 2.7L V6 and automatic

Maureen loves to stand-up paddle board and kayak with friends, so she can throw her board and kayak on the rack or, if that gets to be too much, Michael said he’d get her a trailer and she can tow them to the lake.

He also added the following to customize Maureen’s Bronco, because he wanted “the truck to be uniquely hers”:

• Anodized blue wheels and 33” winter tires
• Nudge bar and LED fog light
• Matte black mountain graphics on the rear side windows
• Mud flaps
• A Thule® ski cargo box

He also just ordered some 5” Sasquatch fender flairs to add on. And if someone builds a convertible roof section that replaces the front hard top panel section, he said Maureen would enjoy that, too.

Revealing Maureen’s Bronco

While Michael had a few different plans to surprise Maureen with her Bronco, the continual production delays made that a challenge, and he ended up giving his wife her new Bronco on a regular Friday after work. Maureen just had “one of those days,” and Michael knew the perfect way to change the mood. The vehicle had been hiding out at the house of their friends Chris and Julie for two weeks, and it was time to break that Bronco free from the stable.

“I just had a really bad day. And suddenly, Michael gave me a box. I opened it, and there was a little toy car inside (which looks exactly like my Bronco). I said, ‘Well, this is cute … why are you giving me a MatchBox car?’ Michael said, ‘Because it’s yours.’ I asked him, ‘What do you mean it’s mine?’ And he said, ‘Let’s go for a drive.’”

Next thing Maureen knew, Michael was driving her through a little Vermont snowstorm to go meet her Bronco. She got out of the car, and their son, William, pulled her hat down over her eyes so Maureen couldn’t see the Bronco until Michael backed it out of the garage. Watch the video, and you’ll see the emotional reveal brought out everything from happy laughter to happy tears.
“I was IN SHOCK,” said Maureen. Michael, who worked hard to keep this secret for 18 months, asked her if she was actually surprised. “I was 100% surprised. And I just love it! Apparently Ford kept sending these “We’re sorry” gifts to the house, because it kept getting delayed and delayed. So Michael and our son Thomas were having to intercept them in the mail to keep me from seeing anything.”

What does Maureen love most about her Bronco? Everything. “It’s the whole package, to be honest with you. I love the color. The wheels. The cloth seats. The decals. The dash with the 12” screen and navigation,” she said. “And it’s 4WD, so I definitely feel more secure. I’ve driven it a few times in the snow now, and it’s such a solid vehicle … it just so nice to feel safe.”

Maureen’s Bronco has become somewhat of a celebrity in their town, with people sending her photos of the vehicle when they spot it in the wild. She said her son’s friend let her know he was driving behind her the other day. Another friend said they saw her Bronco parked at the bank. “It’s hilarious. I get photos sent to me all the time from people at the ski resort who spot it in the lot or park next to me,” she said. “It’s been really fun sharing this with others.”

“I’ve never had anything frivolous before that’s just for me. So this is amazing,” said Maureen. “It’s really hard for me to think that I deserve it, because you go through life and you have what you have, and you get what you get.”

Michael will tell you it’s that humility that makes Maureen so special, and why there is no doubt that his wife deserves her Bronco. “She never asks for ANYTHING. I’ve had all kinds of cool toys and things, and she never says a peep. Never says anything at all,” said Michael. “My wife has been through so much and just deserved something special … and that Bronco makes her feel special.”
And so, after nearly 18 months of keeping the secret and dealing with multiple production delays, Michael successfully pulled off the surprise of a lifetime for his warrior wife, Maureen. May this next chapter of their Bronco love story be filled with good health, much happiness, and endless fun with their Bronco.

Congratulations again Michael and Maureen!

 

[ssolypop]

Good looking wheels!

A big THANK YOU to all the Bronco6G members who supported my journey through this process!! Maureen LOVES her Bronco. Here is a bronco nation article and the video reveal. To those still waiting, I PROMISE the truck is worth the wait. It is an amazing vehicle. See you on the road, on the trails and at the beach!! PEACE, Michael and Maureen.

Story by Becky Celestini of BRONCO NATION

BY BECKY CELESTINI, BRONCO NATION

STORY

There are love stories … and there are Bronco love stories. Michael and Maureen’s is the perfect combo of both. After 24 years of ups and downs, this Vermont couple just added another chapter to their story when Michael surprised Maureen with the keys to a new Bronco.

Their beginning was really quite simple. Boy goes into a bar. Boy meets girl playing bar games. Boy falls for a beautiful smile and crazy gorgeous blue eyes.

“I met Maureen after work at a bar at Mount Snow, where she was a ski instructor –– and is now the Ski School Director,” said Michael. “Maureen was winning; there was lots of laughter, and I asked my friend who she was. After a bit, she agreed to go on a date — and I told my friend Steve after that first date that I was going to marry her. I was right!”

The rest, they say, is history. They tied the knot with a big wedding celebration, surrounded by 275 of their closest family and friends, took an incredible honeymoon to Ireland, and began their life together. They built their dream home and shared an idyllic New England life with their three amazing sons, ages 26, 20, and 15. Together, the family loves to go out on their ski boat, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, and skiing in the winter.

And then, six years ago, the unthinkable happened: Maureen was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was discovered during routine mammograms that Maureen had three separate tumors and some microscopic involvement in her sentinel node. This was devastating news for the family, as their Warrior was now facing the battle of her life. They sought multiple opinions to determine her best treatment options. And, after years of many painful surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy — which made her very ill and caused her to lose her hair — Maureen is now cancer free.

“There are still challenges and worries every day, but Maureen is alive, and we still get to do what we want. She soldiers through it and rarely complains, never makes excuses,” said Michael. Today, she supports other women battling the disease and continues to keep busy with her work as the first woman ski school director at Mount Snow. Her new Bronco will make it easier to get to and from work on the muddy, snowy roads.

“This is why I think she is a Warrior. She went off to battle, saw and experienced lots of horrible stuff and lives with the scars and damage every single day,” said Michael. “She worries the cancer could return. You would never know it if you met her in person. You would just see that beautiful smile and those great eyes. She would invite you in and make sure you were fed and taken care of. Because that is who she is. A kick-ass warrior, a loving wife, an amazing mom, and my best friend. No excuses, no complaints. I couldn’t wait to give her this Bronco.”

Reserving Maureen’s Bronco

Maureen drove minivans for almost all of her married life. While they worked well to move their kids around and transport skis and gear, Maureen needed a change. “Last winter she got frustrated with the 2WD drive minivan and started taking my 4WD drive truck,” said Michael. “So then I had to drive the minivan, and she drove my F-150 (with like six hair scrunchies on the shifter!). I needed that Bronco to get here so I could get my truck back!”

The couple had already begun looking for a new vehicle when it was announced that the Bronco was coming back. Michael shared it with Maureen, and he said her eyes got big, and she right away said, “Wow, that is the coolest thing … I want that!” They agreed to put the deposit down, and Michael made his reservation close to the rollout in July 2020. “I started regretting having showed it to her, because I realized I wanted to surprise her. So I told her it was more than we should spend, and we agreed to look at some small crossovers like the CRV or the Escape.” Maureen continued to mention the Bronco, but Michael lied and told her he had cancelled their reservation. “I felt AWFUL!”

Maureen was obviously disappointed but understood. On a mission to find herself the perfect new vehicle, she test drove many different options last summer. But this breast cancer survivor was not doing it alone. Maureen continued her car search with her sister, who was suddenly facing her own breast cancer battle. Maureen took on the supportive sister role, going to appointments with her sister and helping her through the process. “After her appointments, my sister would not always be feeling great, so we’d go to dealerships and test drive cars,” said Maureen. “We would be like Thelma and Louise and drive down the road with the sunroof open and just have fun.” And despite never even seeing a Bronco in “real life” during any of those adventures, that remained at the top of her list. Little did she know …

Building Maureen’s Bronco

Michael kept working behind the scenes to get the Bronco just right. The original plan was to give Maureen the Bronco for their 24th wedding anniversary on August 9th of this year. And with an initial build date the week of June 7, 2021 — Michael was optimistic it was going to happen. But, just like so many other Bronco Nation members, Maureen’s Bronco was delayed. And delayed. And delayed. NINE times, in fact. As frustrating as the delays were, Michael saw this as an opportunity to save a little more money for the Bronco and accessories.

Michael chose a two-door model over a four-door for a couple of reasons. “I thought the shorter wheelbase would be easier to park and maneuver in the crowded mountain parking lot. I also wanted to stay true to the original Bronco,” he said. “And if we need more space, we have my truck.” At first, Michael said he was worried he was building a “Michael Bronco.” But he knows his wife well, and the pair had multiple conversations about what Maureen wanted in a vehicle, so he made all the selections. Here’s the scoop on the build:

• Outer Banks in Antimatter Blue (blue and black are Maureen’s favorite car colors, so this can be both)
• It has the Roast cloth interior (she only likes cloth seats)
• High package; auxiliary switches, towing, keyless entry, roof rack, floor liners, 2.7L V6 and automatic

Maureen loves to stand-up paddle board and kayak with friends, so she can throw her board and kayak on the rack or, if that gets to be too much, Michael said he’d get her a trailer and she can tow them to the lake.

He also added the following to customize Maureen’s Bronco, because he wanted “the truck to be uniquely hers”:

• Anodized blue wheels and 33” winter tires
• Nudge bar and LED fog light
• Matte black mountain graphics on the rear side windows
• Mud flaps
• A Thule® ski cargo box

He also just ordered some 5” Sasquatch fender flairs to add on. And if someone builds a convertible roof section that replaces the front hard top panel section, he said Maureen would enjoy that, too.

Revealing Maureen’s Bronco

While Michael had a few different plans to surprise Maureen with her Bronco, the continual production delays made that a challenge, and he ended up giving his wife her new Bronco on a regular Friday after work. Maureen just had “one of those days,” and Michael knew the perfect way to change the mood. The vehicle had been hiding out at the house of their friends Chris and Julie for two weeks, and it was time to break that Bronco free from the stable.

“I just had a really bad day. And suddenly, Michael gave me a box. I opened it, and there was a little toy car inside (which looks exactly like my Bronco). I said, ‘Well, this is cute … why are you giving me a MatchBox car?’ Michael said, ‘Because it’s yours.’ I asked him, ‘What do you mean it’s mine?’ And he said, ‘Let’s go for a drive.’”

Next thing Maureen knew, Michael was driving her through a little Vermont snowstorm to go meet her Bronco. She got out of the car, and their son, William, pulled her hat down over her eyes so Maureen couldn’t see the Bronco until Michael backed it out of the garage. Watch the video, and you’ll see the emotional reveal brought out everything from happy laughter to happy tears.
“I was IN SHOCK,” said Maureen. Michael, who worked hard to keep this secret for 18 months, asked her if she was actually surprised. “I was 100% surprised. And I just love it! Apparently Ford kept sending these “We’re sorry” gifts to the house, because it kept getting delayed and delayed. So Michael and our son Thomas were having to intercept them in the mail to keep me from seeing anything.”

What does Maureen love most about her Bronco? Everything. “It’s the whole package, to be honest with you. I love the color. The wheels. The cloth seats. The decals. The dash with the 12” screen and navigation,” she said. “And it’s 4WD, so I definitely feel more secure. I’ve driven it a few times in the snow now, and it’s such a solid vehicle … it just so nice to feel safe.”

Maureen’s Bronco has become somewhat of a celebrity in their town, with people sending her photos of the vehicle when they spot it in the wild. She said her son’s friend let her know he was driving behind her the other day. Another friend said they saw her Bronco parked at the bank. “It’s hilarious. I get photos sent to me all the time from people at the ski resort who spot it in the lot or park next to me,” she said. “It’s been really fun sharing this with others.”

“I’ve never had anything frivolous before that’s just for me. So this is amazing,” said Maureen. “It’s really hard for me to think that I deserve it, because you go through life and you have what you have, and you get what you get.”

Michael will tell you it’s that humility that makes Maureen so special, and why there is no doubt that his wife deserves her Bronco. “She never asks for ANYTHING. I’ve had all kinds of cool toys and things, and she never says a peep. Never says anything at all,” said Michael. “My wife has been through so much and just deserved something special … and that Bronco makes her feel special.”
And so, after nearly 18 months of keeping the secret and dealing with multiple production delays, Michael successfully pulled off the surprise of a lifetime for his warrior wife, Maureen. May this next chapter of their Bronco love story be filled with good health, much happiness, and endless fun with their Bronco.

Love that overwhelming happiness in the video. She could only laugh through the amazement, followed by realizing the coolest gift ever lol maybe some tears of joy?

 

[TripleB]

Cheers!!!!!

 

[buzpro]

A big THANK YOU to all the Bronco6G members who supported my journey through this process!! Maureen LOVES her Bronco. Here is a Bronco Nation article and the video reveal. To those still waiting, I PROMISE the truck is worth the wait. It is an amazing vehicle. See you on the road, on the trails and at the beach!! PEACE, Michael and Maureen.

Story by Becky Celestini of BRONCO NATION

BY BECKY CELESTINI, BRONCO NATION

STORY

There are love stories … and there are Bronco love stories. Michael and Maureen’s is the perfect combo of both. After 24 years of ups and downs, this Vermont couple just added another chapter to their story when Michael surprised Maureen with the keys to a new Bronco.

Their beginning was really quite simple. Boy goes into a bar. Boy meets girl playing bar games. Boy falls for a beautiful smile and crazy gorgeous blue eyes.

“I met Maureen after work at a bar at Mount Snow, where she was a ski instructor –– and is now the Ski School Director,” said Michael. “Maureen was winning; there was lots of laughter, and I asked my friend who she was. After a bit, she agreed to go on a date — and I told my friend Steve after that first date that I was going to marry her. I was right!”

The rest, they say, is history. They tied the knot with a big wedding celebration, surrounded by 275 of their closest family and friends, took an incredible honeymoon to Ireland, and began their life together. They built their dream home and shared an idyllic New England life with their three amazing sons, ages 26, 20, and 15. Together, the family loves to go out on their ski boat, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, and skiing in the winter.

And then, six years ago, the unthinkable happened: Maureen was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was discovered during routine mammograms that Maureen had three separate tumors and some microscopic involvement in her sentinel node. This was devastating news for the family, as their Warrior was now facing the battle of her life. They sought multiple opinions to determine her best treatment options. And, after years of many painful surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy — which made her very ill and caused her to lose her hair — Maureen is now cancer free.

“There are still challenges and worries every day, but Maureen is alive, and we still get to do what we want. She soldiers through it and rarely complains, never makes excuses,” said Michael. Today, she supports other women battling the disease and continues to keep busy with her work as the first woman ski school director at Mount Snow. Her new Bronco will make it easier to get to and from work on the muddy, snowy roads.

“This is why I think she is a Warrior. She went off to battle, saw and experienced lots of horrible stuff and lives with the scars and damage every single day,” said Michael. “She worries the cancer could return. You would never know it if you met her in person. You would just see that beautiful smile and those great eyes. She would invite you in and make sure you were fed and taken care of. Because that is who she is. A kick-ass warrior, a loving wife, an amazing mom, and my best friend. No excuses, no complaints. I couldn’t wait to give her this Bronco.”

Reserving Maureen’s Bronco

Maureen drove minivans for almost all of her married life. While they worked well to move their kids around and transport skis and gear, Maureen needed a change. “Last winter she got frustrated with the 2WD drive minivan and started taking my 4WD drive truck,” said Michael. “So then I had to drive the minivan, and she drove my F-150 (with like six hair scrunchies on the shifter!). I needed that Bronco to get here so I could get my truck back!”

The couple had already begun looking for a new vehicle when it was announced that the Bronco was coming back. Michael shared it with Maureen, and he said her eyes got big, and she right away said, “Wow, that is the coolest thing … I want that!” They agreed to put the deposit down, and Michael made his reservation close to the rollout in July 2020. “I started regretting having showed it to her, because I realized I wanted to surprise her. So I told her it was more than we should spend, and we agreed to look at some small crossovers like the CRV or the Escape.” Maureen continued to mention the Bronco, but Michael lied and told her he had cancelled their reservation. “I felt AWFUL!”

Maureen was obviously disappointed but understood. On a mission to find herself the perfect new vehicle, she test drove many different options last summer. But this breast cancer survivor was not doing it alone. Maureen continued her car search with her sister, who was suddenly facing her own breast cancer battle. Maureen took on the supportive sister role, going to appointments with her sister and helping her through the process. “After her appointments, my sister would not always be feeling great, so we’d go to dealerships and test drive cars,” said Maureen. “We would be like Thelma and Louise and drive down the road with the sunroof open and just have fun.” And despite never even seeing a Bronco in “real life” during any of those adventures, that remained at the top of her list. Little did she know …

Building Maureen’s Bronco

Michael kept working behind the scenes to get the Bronco just right. The original plan was to give Maureen the Bronco for their 24th wedding anniversary on August 9th of this year. And with an initial build date the week of June 7, 2021 — Michael was optimistic it was going to happen. But, just like so many other Bronco Nation members, Maureen’s Bronco was delayed. And delayed. And delayed. NINE times, in fact. As frustrating as the delays were, Michael saw this as an opportunity to save a little more money for the Bronco and accessories.

Michael chose a two-door model over a four-door for a couple of reasons. “I thought the shorter wheelbase would be easier to park and maneuver in the crowded mountain parking lot. I also wanted to stay true to the original Bronco,” he said. “And if we need more space, we have my truck.” At first, Michael said he was worried he was building a “Michael Bronco.” But he knows his wife well, and the pair had multiple conversations about what Maureen wanted in a vehicle, so he made all the selections. Here’s the scoop on the build:

• Outer Banks in Antimatter Blue (blue and black are Maureen’s favorite car colors, so this can be both)
• It has the Roast cloth interior (she only likes cloth seats)
• High package; auxiliary switches, towing, keyless entry, roof rack, floor liners, 2.7L V6 and automatic

Maureen loves to stand-up paddle board and kayak with friends, so she can throw her board and kayak on the rack or, if that gets to be too much, Michael said he’d get her a trailer and she can tow them to the lake.

He also added the following to customize Maureen’s Bronco, because he wanted “the truck to be uniquely hers”:

• Anodized blue wheels and 33” winter tires
• Nudge bar and LED fog light
• Matte black mountain graphics on the rear side windows
• Mud flaps
• A Thule® ski cargo box

He also just ordered some 5” Sasquatch fender flairs to add on. And if someone builds a convertible roof section that replaces the front hard top panel section, he said Maureen would enjoy that, too.

Revealing Maureen’s Bronco

While Michael had a few different plans to surprise Maureen with her Bronco, the continual production delays made that a challenge, and he ended up giving his wife her new Bronco on a regular Friday after work. Maureen just had “one of those days,” and Michael knew the perfect way to change the mood. The vehicle had been hiding out at the house of their friends Chris and Julie for two weeks, and it was time to break that Bronco free from the stable.

“I just had a really bad day. And suddenly, Michael gave me a box. I opened it, and there was a little toy car inside (which looks exactly like my Bronco). I said, ‘Well, this is cute … why are you giving me a MatchBox car?’ Michael said, ‘Because it’s yours.’ I asked him, ‘What do you mean it’s mine?’ And he said, ‘Let’s go for a drive.’”

Next thing Maureen knew, Michael was driving her through a little Vermont snowstorm to go meet her Bronco. She got out of the car, and their son, William, pulled her hat down over her eyes so Maureen couldn’t see the Bronco until Michael backed it out of the garage. Watch the video, and you’ll see the emotional reveal brought out everything from happy laughter to happy tears.
“I was IN SHOCK,” said Maureen. Michael, who worked hard to keep this secret for 18 months, asked her if she was actually surprised. “I was 100% surprised. And I just love it! Apparently Ford kept sending these “We’re sorry” gifts to the house, because it kept getting delayed and delayed. So Michael and our son Thomas were having to intercept them in the mail to keep me from seeing anything.”

What does Maureen love most about her Bronco? Everything. “It’s the whole package, to be honest with you. I love the color. The wheels. The cloth seats. The decals. The dash with the 12” screen and navigation,” she said. “And it’s 4WD, so I definitely feel more secure. I’ve driven it a few times in the snow now, and it’s such a solid vehicle … it just so nice to feel safe.”

Maureen’s Bronco has become somewhat of a celebrity in their town, with people sending her photos of the vehicle when they spot it in the wild. She said her son’s friend let her know he was driving behind her the other day. Another friend said they saw her Bronco parked at the bank. “It’s hilarious. I get photos sent to me all the time from people at the ski resort who spot it in the lot or park next to me,” she said. “It’s been really fun sharing this with others.”

“I’ve never had anything frivolous before that’s just for me. So this is amazing,” said Maureen. “It’s really hard for me to think that I deserve it, because you go through life and you have what you have, and you get what you get.”

Michael will tell you it’s that humility that makes Maureen so special, and why there is no doubt that his wife deserves her Bronco. “She never asks for ANYTHING. I’ve had all kinds of cool toys and things, and she never says a peep. Never says anything at all,” said Michael. “My wife has been through so much and just deserved something special … and that Bronco makes her feel special.”
And so, after nearly 18 months of keeping the secret and dealing with multiple production delays, Michael successfully pulled off the surprise of a lifetime for his warrior wife, Maureen. May this next chapter of their Bronco love story be filled with good health, much happiness, and endless fun with their Bronco.

AWESOME STORY .... AWESOME reaction .... you guys had a lot to be thankful this past thanksgiving .... Wish you and yours AND your LOVELY the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! ENJOY!

 

[Bituman]

Wow, it just got dusty here in my office. Contrats to Maureen.

 

[802Bronco]

I would love to see a picture when you pick it up. You won't believe how amazing AMB is in the sun.

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