And 19 years later it still represents my ride.
Thinking about the key chain and all of the "rides" it's been through brought back some good memories.
When I turned sixteen I got the rights to drive the same family vehicle that my siblings drove. All of us. And before that, it was my grandparent's car. I'm pretty sure they bought it brand new in 1979. Which, P.S. is the year I was born. Black with a red pinstripe done the side… it was a boat. Which was perfect for a first-time driver. The most memorable quirk was driving with both my left and right foot. It stalled if you sat idle too long without feeding it any gas. Thus, driving with two feet.
After the LTD finally died in my senior year of high school, I got my mom's hand me down Taurus. It was quite the step up. Automatic windows and locks. And I only needed my right foot to drive. ;-) This beauty accompanied me to college. After more than one frigid cold day of leaving me stranded at my apartment or on campus, Brent was tired of rescuing me from the Taurus. Then, after my initial introduction to Brent's family and the small town we now call home, the tan Taurus left me completely stranded on a rural country road between Brent's parent's house and my sister's house on Thanksgiving break.
One month later, my Dad went car shopping with me and I ended up with a light blue Taurus from a mom and pop auto dealer back home. The mention of buying another Taurus to Brent sent chills down his spine.
More visits to the repair shop followed with the light blue Taurus. About six months after we got engaged, Brent and I bought a Dodge Intrepid. I say we, but it was all him. I was still in college, preparing to do my student teaching. He was working full time and living in southern Iowa. I think he was worried how I would survive another winter with my bad car luck and him living three hours away. So he bought it, I drove it. Always a care taker :-)
We were married for a couple years when we got a Chevy Tahoe. This was the vehicle which I got my fancy, personalized Cyclone license plates. They haven't been with me as long as the aforementioned key chain, but it's almost double digits.
The first Tahoe was so good to us, we upgraded a couple of years later. Then, one very windy day, my car was parked in the parking lot at my office. I happened to be talking to my secretary and watched this giant gust of wind blow the dumpster around the parking lot. As the dumpster glided easily across the concrete I realized where it was headed… right into the side of my Tahoe. Ouch! Some repairs had it looking brand new again.
Lots and lots of miles, a couple of car seats and the conversion to a minivan happened. NO ONE says I want to drive a minivan when I grow up. I'm a truck-kind-of-girl and I would drive a pickup in a heartbeat, but it doesn't suit this stage of life. So I drive a Chrysler Town & Country mini and I love its conveniences.
What a fun "drive" down memory lane. That 19 year old key chain has been good to me over all the miles!
