Charlotte and Debbie Lambert are close. Really close. From taking hikes and binging TV shows to supporting their Pittsburgh Steelers and taking road trips — this Maryland mother-daughter duo definitely enjoy spending time together. (They actually just returned from a dream trip to Scotland a few weeks ago!)
This special bond obviously allows them to create some awesome memorable moments that they both will cherish. However, neither of these two Bronco Nation members could have predicted that buying brand new Ford Bronco Sports together would be an activity they would one day share.
It started when Charlotte moved back to Maryland after graduating from the University of Delaware. While she loved driving her 2012 Ford Escape, it was time for something new. She knew she wanted to stay with Ford and set her sights on the iconic 4x4. “I liked the old ‘OJ Simpson’ style Bronco, and then saw a commercial for the Bronco Sport in 2021,” said Charlotte. “After seeing that, I was sold…I couldn’t wait to test drive it!”
It was only fitting that Charlotte would go for a Bronco. The 29-year-old has degrees in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and Agriculture and Natural Resources, and dreams of one day working for the Forest Service or a National Park — so the outdoors is definitely her thing.
“I love being outside and going on hikes. My friend has a little Jon boat that we take on the Potomac regularly. And I love going to the Shenandoah or Wintergreen area to explore the trails.”
Of course, off-roading is also a big part of that outdoor life she loves. “My friend has a Jeep that he’s been taking me off-roading in since high school,” she said. “That made me want a Jeep really bad in high school and the beginning of college. But then I saw they brought back the Bronco and I said forget Jeeps, ha ha!”
Excited to make this first new car purchase, Charlotte was also a little nervous and asked her mom, Debbie, to go with her to the dealership for morale support.
The timing was serendipitous. Debbie, who works for a local florist in Mt. Airy, MD, was driving home from an event venue one Sunday evening when a deer ran out and landed on the hood of her 2006 Honda CRV. Suddenly, the car she drove for 15 years was totaled, and she found herself in need of a new car.
So one May afternoon, Charlotte and Debbie went on one of their most exciting adventures: to order Charlotte’s new Bronco. “The Sport was more available at the time I ordered mine, plus it was more within my budget,” Charlotte said. “I think the regular Broncos are amazing and maybe down the road I’ll have enough money to get one.” They sat with the sales person and Charlotte made the selections for her Bronco Sport Badlands. And suddenly, Debbie was ordering one for herself.
“I didn’t really understand what happened until we left the dealership and I looked at my mom and was like… did we just get the same car?!,” Charlotte laughed. Debbie had done a lot more research than she did, and found a Badlands package, which is what they both ordered. “I already knew the color I wanted and kind of convinced mom to get the red because of her hair,” Charlotte laughed. It also happens to be one of Debbie’s favorite colors.
Six months later, they were both official Bronco Sport owners. Charlotte’s Cactus Gray ride arrived first, and Debbie’s Metallic Red one arrived a week later. Charlotte said the first stop she made after getting the keys to her Bronco was Debbie’s work to show it off. Not only did they now have matching Broncos (just different colors), but this mother and daughter are so in sync, that even their VINs are just one digit apart!
For both mom and daughter, the Sport is their everyday vehicle, and both Bronco Nation members say they definitely appreciate the amount of cargo space the vehicle offers. With her job at the florist, Debbie frequently uses her Bronco to make floral deliveries and pick-ups for weddings and events. For Charlotte, it’s all about her Great Pyrenees, Gus. “I drive my dog around all the time!,” she said. “I love taking adventures with Gus, and drag Mom on a lot of them, too. My favorite thing is folding all the seats in back, loading up Gus, and going on a long trip together. We put it on cruise control and just drive.”
And, as much as she loves her husband of nearly 34 years, Darryl, the Bronco Sport is all Debbie’s. “The Bronco feels sporty and is so fun to drive. I am thoroughly enjoying and embracing the new technology, like being able to sync my phone, the on-screen map, and the back-up cameras,” she said. And while she loves the luxuries like the leather seats and heated steering wheel, Debbie appreciates some of the conveniences that she says are great for a Mom, “There are so many storage options, and the hooks for reusable storage bags… even the bottle opener in the back!”
Debbie is not an off roader… yet. “I’ve never done anything like that, but maybe someday.” Her daughter, on the other hand, is loving being able to take her Sport on the trails.
“I couldn’t take my previous vehicle off-roading because it was too low to the ground,” said Charlotte. She has since taken her Bronco Sport on the trails at Wintergreen and the Shenandoah area, where she’s been able to use her favorite vehicle feature: the G.O.A.T. Modes. “It’s so fun to see what these vehicles can do, and the pictures that you get going over rocks is really cool. I also love that even though my Bronco is not lifted yet, my friend has taken me off-roading and it did really well!” She hopes to add a hitch and get her Bronco lifted soon.
Charlotte said she and her mom plan to attend Bronco Off-Roadeo together, with hopes of checking out the New Hampshire location and Moab. “I can’t wait to drive the trail course itself and really learn more about the G.O.A.T. modes.”
Until then, this loving mother-daughter duo of the Nation will continue to proudly wear their Bronco gear (Charlotte loves her swag!) and enjoy many more adventures together in their Bronco Sport Badlands.
Happy Mother’s Day to Debbie and all of our Bronco Nation mom’s out there! Have a Bronco story or off-roading memory with a special mom in your life? We’d love to hear it! Share your story below.
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