Freeway of Love

My 6-year-old son, N, and I share a love of cars. I guess we get it from my father who was an amateur race car driver and car enthusiast himself. I still remember the sounds of the roaring engines and scents of burning rubber, gasoline, and dirt.

But I recently discovered something that N likes even more than cars. Oddly enough, I made my discovery at the Houston Auto Show.

Is this a car or is it a robot in disguise?

N and I have attended the show each year since he was three. We enjoy sitting in the driver’s seats of luxury and sports cars pretending we are driving down the open road.

When we entered the arena, N made a B-line to the Transformers branded Camaro.

“Daddy,” he said. “I wonder if this car can transform into Bumblebee.”

“I doubt it,” I said. “But it would be cool if it could.”

N's Dream Car

After realizing the Camaro was only a car, N darted to his favorite piece of machinery – a red 2010 Lotus Exige.

“I want one of those, Daddy,” he said jumping and pointing.

“So do I, son,” I said. “So do I.”

Since neither of us could afford a new Lotus we moved on to my favorite part of the show – the classic car display. Of course my son burst my bubble when he said, “Daddy those cars aren’t cool. They’re old.”

After we made the loop around the arena, I noticed the Jeep display in the corner.

1966 Mustang - If this car were a woman, I'd marry it.

“Let’s go and look at the Jeeps,” I said.

“I don’t really like Jeeps, Dad,” he said. “I’d rather look at some other cars.”

“Just humor me for a minute,” I said. “A Jeep was the first automobile I bought and I want to reminisce for a minute.”

“Okay, fine,” he said.

We took pictures in the Wranglers and Grand Cherokees as I remember the good times I had in my Jeep. Soon my trip down memory lane was over and it was time to leave. As I walked to the next automaker’s display, I noticed that N was lagging behind. I walked back to where he was standing and grabbed his arm.

“C’mon son,” I said. “I’m done. We can go now.”

“Wait a minute, Daddy,” he said. “I’m not ready to go.”

“I thought you said you didn’t like Jeeps,” I said. “What is it that you want to see?”

Not the actual model, but you get the picture

My question was answered as an attractive spokesmodel stepped to the platform to talk about the new Jeeps. N was mesmerized.

“Daddy, can we wait here a minute?” he asked. “I’d like to hear what she has to say.”

“Why do you care what she has to say?” I said. “You don’t like Jeeps. Remember?”

“Shhh, Daddy,” he said. “I can’t hear.”

I just shook my head as we listened and learned. Something tells me that N’s first car will also be a Jeep.

Stay Strong,

Tell me about your first car or your first crush.

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