Do you remember that feeling of falling in love? The excitement, anticipation, anxiety…all those feelings all at once? Let me tell you a story about first love.
First, David and I are blessed with nine wonderful grandsons ranging in age from 2 years to 24 years old. They are all amazing in their own way but I may enjoy this grandson a bit more…just don’t tell the other ones, please. You may remember car photos which I posted in the October 2022 newsletter from the car show that my grandson Rowen (who is 17) had taken. He loves the personality of old styled cars.
For over a year now he and I have been texting/talking back and forth about cars specifically, early 1990’s cars. Yes, one of the ‘big boat’ cars. So, I’ve been searching for the perfect car on his behalf. Hmm… old car for not much money. Easy.
Fast forward to last month.
David and I are out on a walk and we meet up with our neighbors, Bill, and his wife, Mary Ann. Bill tells us about the rat rod that he’s building. David asked him about the white car on the side of the house. Bill says that he acquired the car for the engine but it wasn’t going to work. I’m listening to this and ask Bill what it is. It’s a 1992 Chrysler Fifth Avenue. Oh my gosh…I immediately think of Rowen! Bill is willing to part with it for what he has into it – $1240. 1990s-check. Not too much money-check!
The car has 184,000 miles on it but runs. It was the top of the line in the day with airbags, electric windows and leather seats, all the best and whistles. It’s not in horrible shape. David takes photos and sends them over to Rowen. Apparently, Rowen LOVED the car at first sight and at 1:00 am forwards the pictures to his best friend Mason with the words “I have to have this car!”.
To make a long wonderful story a bit shorter, Rowen and Mason drive up from Chico on Memorial Day weekend. Rowen’s excitement is contagious. As he sat in the car, I asked him, was he sure he wanted a huge car like this. He told me, “Grandma, most people think that these kinds of cars are for gangsters and pimps. I just think that they have style. It’s what I want”. We meet up with Bill and he and Rowen strike an agreement and work out a payment plan – he’s 17, working, but doesn’t have the full amount. Rowen handles all this himself including writing up the agreement and negotiating a deposit and payment plan with Bill. A special ‘thank you’ to Bill for agreeing to take payments. Bill also has grandsons.
“Rowen, did you get Bill’s address so you can mail him a payment check every month?” Whoops, forgot Grandma.
He’s learning. His plan is to maybe start collecting old cars and restoring them. He’s already got a list of what he needs for his first ‘love’. Yes! A young man after my own heart. I’m so glad that he’s related to me.
By Diane B.
