Buying Girl Scout Cookies from Creepy Vans

I've always loved Girl Scout cookie season. Each year, I show my dedication and embrace my inner philanthropist when I purchase 2-3 boxes of Somoas and Thin Mints and eat all of them over the span of 3 days. I'd love to say that I'm loyal to the Girl Scouts of America organization, but when it comes down to it, it's really all about the cookie.

In my lifetime as a Girl Scout cookie enthusiast, I have encountered two different types of Girl Scout cookie sales. One scenario consists of the usual Girl Scout or 3 dressed in uniform so that you know they're official. Alongside them, and usually breathing down their necks as they count back the change, is a mother. This is the real deal, and you know that your money is indeed going to The Girl Scouts of America.

And what's the other scenario? The other scenario is the windowless white van parked at the Chevron station with a handwritten sign taped to the side of the van that says Girl Scout Cookies For Sale. Outside of the sketchy van is a woman that is missing quite a few teeth. Alongside her is a little girl without a Girl Scout uniform on.

To some, it may seem off-putting to make your annual Girl Scout cookie purchase in scenario #2, but not for me. Girl Scout cookies are Girl Scout cookies. Even if you bought them from a sketchy van, they're still going to taste like sugary bits of heaven. And besides, these cookies are only available for a short period of time, so you better take advantage of the first opportunity you get. God forbid it be your last.

With that said, it is no surprise that my fiance and I ended up buying some boxes of Samoas and Thin Mints from the questionable Girl Scout. What are loyal cookie fans to do? This was my first cookie sighting that season, and I clung to the opportunity for dear life. We marched over to the sketchy white van, placed our order, and forked over the cash.

This is where it gets weirder, because the cash had its own agenda. You see, it was an exceptionally windy day, and as soon as the cash was handed over to the possible Girl Scout, it flew away in the wind (the cash, not the girl). With panic-stricken faces, we all ran like mad around the parking lot to catch the flying money.

Luckily, we were able to catch the money, and after I finished making some stupid and pointless comment about how windy of a day it was, my fiance and I were on our way back to my apartment with cookies in tow. And you know what? They were delicious.

A little bit later that day, we were driving around town and spotted real Girl Scouts in their official uniforms, selling cookies. This sighting didn't occur once, but two or three times in various locations around town that very day.

While I try not to read into situations too much, I couldn't help but wonder if this was all a sign that we made a mistake...the money flying away from us as we tried to pay for our cookies, and the Girl Scout sightings around town just moments after our sketchy purchase. As regret started to seep into my conscience, I popped another Samoa into my mouth and remembered that it's all about the cookie.

photo credit: bess grant via photopin cc photo credit: Marcy Leigh via photopin cc