I had my first "real" bike stolen.
It was a 1992 Miyata Triplecross hybrid. The first bike I ever bought at a shop after doing research and test-riding, and not a hand-me-down from my sister. That bike really launched me as a rider. Still, when it was stolen, I used the insurance money to buy a Bianchi Eros road bike, which really expanded my range as a cyclist. So, in hindsight, it was actually a really good thing that my bike was stolen.
BTW...the Bianchi was subsequently sold on Craigslist to a college kid from Baltimore. Some days, I still miss that bike, too....