How Our Bus Got Its Name: The Story Behind “The Pink Sloth”

Roselyn Ruben
Mar 29
2 min read

Naming our bus wasn’t just a detail on a to-do list—it was a moment of connection. A way of giving personality to this little rolling home we built with our own hands. A way of saying: this matters. This isn’t just a vehicle. It’s part of our story.

We chose The Pink Sloth, and the name holds more meaning than we could’ve imagined when it first came to us.

🦥 It Started with a Moment I Missed

During our first extended family trip to Costa Rica, we had rented bikes to explore the lush, winding roads near our cabin. It was humid and full of life. Somewhere along the way, we realized we'd forgotten the sunscreen (because of course). So I volunteered to bike back to grab it while Simon stayed with the girls.

And wouldn’t you know it—that’s when it happened.

As I was pedaling back, a sloth began slowly crossing the road just ahead of where they were waiting. A bus stopped. The driver got out. And with care and calm, he gently helped the sloth make it safely to the other side.

I missed it. The magic. The moment.

But when I returned, the way Simon and the girls told the story—with wide eyes and soft wonder—I could feel it. That one tiny, slow, extraordinary creature left a mark on all of us.

💛 Why It Still Matters

That sloth became a symbol. Not just because it was adorable (though it was), but because it moved differently. It reminded us that life doesn’t have to be rushed to be meaningful. That slowness can be sacred.

And for me, it became something else too—a reminder that even if I miss a moment, I’m still part of the story. Just like you, reading this now, are part of ours.

💗 Why Pink?

Sometime later, Simon tossed out the idea: “What if we painted the bus pink?” At first we laughed. But then it started to stick. The color reminded us of old pink Cadillacs or vintage Westfalias—bold, joyful, a little nostalgic.

So yes, our bus is actually pink. And yes, we’re totally in love with it.