I'm In a Hurry

When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up. I would lay in bed at night, daydreaming about driving. I would imagine a car that was my size, but that could do all the things that my parents cars could do. It was just a mini version of the real thing. I couldn’t wait to learn to drive. I yearned for the feeling of getting behind the wheel. Pushing on the gas pedal, holding onto the steering wheel…it was the most incredible feeling. I can still remember how excited I was to get in my Mom’s little grey Honda Accord. It felt like it was made for me. I rolled the windows down, opened the sun roof, and turned on the stereo. And then, I just sat there. I paused in the driveway, half expecting this to not be nearly as exciting as I had always daydreamed. I was so afraid this would be a letdown. Oh, but it wasn’t. I had a flutter in my chest as I pulled onto the road all by myself. I loved to drive.

I have driven a number of cars over the years and each one has meant something to me. Is that weird? Is it strange that I have a connection with my cars?

Honda Accord- The first car I drove on my own. The first car I stupidly goofed off in while driving. I was being silly and shouting out the window at my friend Jeremy and I drifted a little too far toward the curb. POP! Blew a tire. I know my dad knew I had done something stupid and/or dishonest, but he never said anything. He just made me go buy a tire and taught me to put it on all by myself.

Plymouth Sundance- “My” first car. The first vehicle that was purchased for me. I drove this back and forth to my job at the pool all summer. It always smelled of chlorine and suntan lotion.

Ford Tempo- The ugliest red car I had ever seen, but it did its job. It got me from point A to point B, including when point B was over 600 miles from home and a move to Oklahoma. That car probably saw more tears and heartache than any other vehicle I’d ever own.

Toyota Corolla- MY first car! The first vehicle I bought all by myself! I absolutely adored this car. I felt grown up and responsible as I had done the ENTIRE car buying process myself, and I had so much fun in that thing! That is, until she started to fall apart. Not long after buying her, I was told that her previous owner most likely never changed her oil and she was very, very sick. RIP Carol.

Ford Escape (The Original Dory) - I traded Carol in on my first (of three) Ford Escapes. You want to talk about excited?! I have NEVER loved a car like I loved Dory. Get it? Dory…the Escah-pay. Finding Nemo? No one? Anyone? Ok. Dory’s paint began to blister and I unknowingly took her through a car wash and pretty much peeled her paint off. RIP Dory.

Ford Escape (Dory, Jr.)- Dory, Jr. was a great car, too. I have a love for the small SUV. Dory, Jr. got backed into one summer and I had her in the shop. I was given a Ford Focus as a rental. I ended up totaling said rental when a 90+ year old man pulled out in front of me on the highway. He looked the wrong way for oncoming traffic and I t-boned him. I am eternally grateful I wasn’t driving Dory at the time, because I was told my SUV would have no doubt killed him. The fact that I was in a car the same size as his, saved his life. I loved that SUV until her transmission fell out on 12th street in Quincy. She was loaded onto the back of a flatbed tow truck as the driver shook his head and told me, “This doesn’t look good.” RIP Dory, Jr.

Ford Focus- By far the sportiest and most fun vehicle I have ever owned. Mona was sleek, sexy, sporty, had really sweet rims…oh, how I loved this car. I’d love to get another one someday. Mona was all sass, but unfortunately, she was not a vehicle with moms in mind. Sullivan’s car seat barely fit in the back and I had ridiculous anxiety that in an emergency, I wouldn’t be able to get him out fast enough. I had her for less than a year, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love her with my whole heart.

Ford Escape- My third Escape was just as great as the last two. Trading her in was a tough decision. Two car seats in her, left no room for anyone to ride along with us. In addition, Sullivan was at the age that he had to do everything himself, and that meant opening car doors. Very hard, and very quickly, with little to no regard for his close proximity to other vehicles. Sayonara sweet SUV, hello mini-van.

Dodge Caravan- I still say the mini-van was the best purchase I ever made. She decreased my anxiety for a number of reasons. Enter, sliding doors and automatic start. She has become our family Adventure Machine! We go on road trips, day trips, and have lots of cargo space and a DVD system. Who could ask for more when you have two kids to entertain!? I’m not going to lie, being a part of the mini-van club does make me feel a little old. However, I’ll take old over losing-my-ever-loving-mind, any day.

I daydream of one day owning a “cool” car again. Of feeling like maybe, just maybe, when I have my music up loud people aren’t looking at me like, “Aww…look that mom. Isn’t it sweet? She has 5 minutes alone in the car.” And more like, “Wow! Look at that fun lady in that sweet ass car!” Maybe? Someday? No? Oh, well. My mini-van has lots of cup holders. For the win.