I was not always a car guy, but from a young age I got interested in mechanical things. With help from my parents, I bought an old car and learned to work on mechanical things. I met Chuck, a veteran of WWII and Korea who taught me how to handle a wrench; he became like a second father to me. It is because of that old car and Chuck that I am an engineer now.
Roughly 20 years ago I joined the USAF, then about 18 years ago I bought a truck. It was the first vehicle I fully paid for. I’ve put thousands upon thousands of miles on this truck, and created equally as many memories within this truck
The truck waited patiently for me while I was deployed, took me on dozens of treks up and down the eastern seaboard and a trip to California and back. While driving my truck I have experienced America in almost all of her glory. Behind the wheel we have visited twenty-three out of forty-eight contiguous states. We’ve crossed the continental divide, seen Monument Valley, visited the Grand Canyon, trekked up and down the Appalachian Trail, added yet more miles travelled by a voyager to Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway, and felt the salt spray from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
I’ve had a dozen first dates picked up in this truck, including one who would become my wife. I’ve experienced heartbreak and elation in this truck. I’ve brought home three wonderful dogs in this truck. I’ve moved homes over six times in this truck and helped friends move their homes. I’ve helped tow vehicles home, pulled friends and strangers from ditches, and helped direct traffic around accidents in this truck.
In many many ways, this truck is me. I have seen the world behind its glass, her highways roll along under its wheels, and its people talk to me because of the care I put into this truck.
