Dear Blackhawk (yes I know your name is a bit cringey now, but me from the past thought it was cool and it stuck),

We’ve been through so much since I got you. You got me through my driving test, the two attempts and the one passing victory. You were there for the tail end of senior year of high school, the excitement and anticipation mingled with the stress. You were there for all of the fun senior events, the lazy days and the picnics. You were there for my first day of college, with me full of nerves and you full of gas. You've been there through so many successes and so many failures. Through high school orchestra concerts and community college productions, you've been there. You'll be there for the first day of work at a full-time job. And you'll continue to be there.

You’re tough. God knows that I could stand to check my mirrors better when backing up. You have a few scrapes, like I have mine, but at least we never hit another car! I think that in and of itself is something to celebrate. And if I’ve graced your paint with a pole or two? Well, what does that matter in the long run?

You’re reliable. I can always depend on you to get me to work, to the mall, to the doctor, to the dentist, to wherever I need to go. You’ve never broken down on me like I have on you. Multiple times. The most you needed were new headlights, tail lights, brakes, tires, and a serpentine belt. And, not to mention, you could use some new wiper blades. Not too bad for a used 2008 model!

You never complain. No matter how much trash accumulates. No matter how many water bottles end up in the back seat. No matter how loudly I sing. You're there through it all to support me with the rumble of your engine.

I know that you won’t be around forever. I know that, eventually, you’ll get too old. (Some would argue that you’re already too old, with your manual locks and your windows that I have to crank down.) I know that, eventually, I’ll have to trade you in for another, newer, safer car. We'll have to part ways for good someday.

It will be a sad day, when it comes. Replacing you will not be easy. How can you replace years of memories? Every laugh, every tear, every expletive aimed at other drivers can't be replaced. That one time we got pulled over for having a tail light out and I nearly had a panic attack can't be replaced. The late nights coming home from work can't be replaced. Brakes can be replaced. Belts and gears and oil and windshield wipers can be replaced. But sentiment can't.

I'll always remember the good times and the bad times that we had. Time washes away memories, and some things will be forgotten. But I don't think that the first taste of freedom that you brought me will ever fade from my memory.

Thank you, Blackhawk, for being my car.

(And an even bigger thank you to my parents for getting you for me.)