Finding a car or a boy.

Over the summer my car broke down, which meant that I got to search for a new car. (Always a good thing.) As I told my parents what I would love to have, they sat me down, and said, “Make a list. Everything you want in a car, be as specific as you can. Get really creative. Then number everything from greatest importance to least.” So I did. I sat down that night and jotted down every little thing. Starting with the color of the exterior to color of the interior, from auxiliary cord in the console, to automatic windows, automatic locks. EVERYTHING!!!!

Every time I saw an ad, I got antsy. I just wanted a car so bad that I could call my own. ALL MINE. Every time I saw one, I did everything in my power to have that car work out. But luckily for me, my parents were very thorough with their research.  They kept saying, “Don’t rush it, it will all work out.” This went on for about a good 2-3 months. I was devastated. Who knew that car buying was such hard work. I had looked at dozens of cars, had many opportunities, but when they came, it just didn’t feel right. There was always a little glitch that made my stomach cringe. Over and over again. I kept getting more and more discouraged about the whole situation. I cried a few times. It was irritating. I knew what I wanted. It was out there, but everything that was popping up was either too expensive, broken, the wrong color, had a funky sound when you drove it…. Etc. But one Sunday morning I checked the listings. It was the exact car I wanted, nice miles, and close by to check it out. I set up an appointment to see it. It was in Hidden Valley. (how convenient)  Drove up there. It was THEE exact color I wanted. So we got in and went for a test drive! My dad said, “Drive like you stole it.” (haha the only time I’ve EVER had permission to do that.) It was perfect. Everything was perfect. I remember driving back to the owners house and everyone in the car saying.. “omg do you think you want it?” “This is so you.” “I can’t believe this is finally happening”. Everything fell right into place.  

As I was writing my list of what I wanted for my car, my dad told me to write CAR on one side and BOYS on the other. He said, “I want you to make a list of what you want. Big things, little things, stupid things, everything you can think of, write it down.” So I did. My dad, being the cute person that he is, applied buying a car to “buying”/finding a boy. I have to tell you, it’s perfect.

Sometimes I think a specific guy will work for me, but then my parents do their research, analyze, and help me with the solution to try again. So calm down. Don’t rush.

Two people have given me the best advice. “You’re only young once. You’re only 20 now. You have your whole life to be married (70 plus years), have kids, pay bills, so enjoy the single life now. Live it up.” Another person I look up to dearly said, “You need to grow. The kid you’re supposed to marry needs to grow. But you both need to grow on your own individually, so that if and when you get married, you can start growing together.”

So guess what friends, one Sunday evening, everything will fall into place. But until then, live while you can, trust your parents, and trust your instincts. Don’t rush things. I promise your man is in “Hidden Valley” somewhere ;)