Oh, Mighty Black Beauty,
You stuck with me for three years of high school and the summer following, even though you were in and out of the repair shop.
I appreciate your gumption to get me and many passengers from point A to B.
You supplied me with endless jam sessions at full volume, both which were accompanied and alone. Night drives and day trips were equally exciting and exhilarating, as I wasn’t sure whether or not you’d get to where I was going in one piece. (Don’t even get me started on highway driving.)
You were a 2003 Impala, and the noise you made due to your sub-par muffler was atrocious to some, but to me it was endearing.Your rust covered exterior may have been off-putting, but I say it gave you character.
You were my escape when I needed to clear my head, calm down, get happy, or anything in between. There was nothing that a drive with the windows down and music up couldn’t fix.
You had your quirks, don’t get me wrong. You had a few dents here and there, that all came with an elaborate story. You had holes in your floorboards and when it rained your carpeting got soaked, but hey I could deal with that. I threw some Yankee candle air fresheners on your mirror and boom, problem solved. Sometimes your trunk would open randomly, and if I didn’t feel like getting out to shut it, I would fix that by just going over some bumpy roads--boom, problem solved.
Other people had shiny new cars with bright colors and new tires, But they had nothing on you, girl.
I have countless memories with you (not to mention the time I got pulled over), and you facilitated many great memories that I have with others.
You had a (very) random collection of things in your compartments, like noisemakers, batteries without a home, and other Dollar General finds. I could store a week's worth of clothes in your backseat and trunk, and you didn’t seem to mind that I was too lazy to take them out. You also didn’t judge me when I sat in the driveway for about forty-five minutes after arriving home just listening to music and scrolling through social media.
I remember the first time I drove you alone on my 16th birthday. With the spiced pumpkin air freshener, my Vera Bradley wallet and Nike Volleyball Lanyard, I was ready to conquer the world.You represented independence, freedom, and fun. I felt SO cool.
You never trembled when I was late for school almost every day, and you had a sunroof. You really can’t get better than that.
You were at the receiving end of a lot of jokes over the years, Black Beauty because you were a hot mess, but so am I, so it worked out perfectly.
I’m so glad you were my first car. I loved all 250,000 miles of ya.
Thanks for everything,
Your very favorite driver Bekah