about 7 or 8 years ago i purchased a backpack. now, picking out a backpack is a tremendously difficult decision. and at the time it took me several weeks to determine just the right one for me and my life. my old backpack had completely fallen apart and i had to get a new one. but i was also very mindful of how i needed to think larger than just 'now' and how the backpack would be a part of my everyday life for years. after trying out, testing, purchasing and then returning, and driving sales people nuts, i finally decided on this backpack. it was a really difficult decision that was finally laid to rest. and i was happy.

at the time, upon purchase, it came with a large envelope for returning for repair with a 'lifetime guarantee.' one of my friends at the time mentioned that i should keep it because he had heard how they were always really truthful and consistent in truly meaning a 'lifetime guarantee.' so i did.

i never had trouble with my backpack for years. it's seen me through everything. there's really not a day in my life i'm not with it. so, then, when over the last year or so the zippers starting tearing and not working i wasn't sure what to do. i mean, i knew i could send it in, but how would i function without my backpack on a daily basis while it was away being repaired. i just would put up with the problems and/or ignore them.

well, when my family was coming to pick me up for our recent traveling vacation, it occurred to me that this was the perfect time to take Jansport up on their offer and mail in my backpack for repairs. perfect timing because while traveling with my family i wouldn't necessarily need to rely on my backpack every day. and maybe i could get myself used to some other carryon for a while.

so while at crater lake, oregon, we stopped at the national park post office and i dropped off my backpack into the envelope it came with. the post officer mentioned that she'd seen people do that before and heard that Jansport was always really good about that kind of thing. wow, could this be true? a real 'lifetime guarantee' from a company that cared about their product working for years and years to come? wow, i was very hopeful.

well, since returning home i've been trying out different packs for my daily use. mostly i've been doing the whole de rigueur onestrapovertheneckandshoulder look. which i do like that look. but it's been kinda hurting my back and shoulders. i'd like to be hip and cool and have one of those fun messenger bags everybody carries, but i don't think my back could take it. and they're never big enough for me. i carry around a lot of stuff.

well, yesterday, after only a few weeks, and a previously received postcard nicely noting (even saying they were sorry i had to be without it for a short time) that they had received my backpack for repair, i got my backpack back. they even fixed more than what i had written was broken. it looks brand new and the zippers are perfect. i am so very impressed with Jansport right now. i mean, it really was a 'lifetime guarantee' and i didn't have to find a receipt or prove purchase or anything. they could see that the backpack they produced had worn some and they fixed it.

and i have my backpack back. now, sure, i might like a new look or something, a new color, a new style, or whatnot, but you know what, this backpack is perfect for me. it has everything i want in a daily carrier. and it makes me happy. so here's to Jansport for being a great reliable company and here's to my backpack for putting up with my very daily use and weathering my life with me.