Riding in Cars with Boys
As a young girl, I would fanaticize of romantic getaways, travel, with a male partner. I vividly recall inventing an entire excursion in my thoughts prior to sleep. If an actual date was planned, each detail would play inside my head like a movie. Often times, I would grow so consumed with anticipation, I would look forward to the evening time, the time in which I was able to design the future date while marking through another calendar date. Of course, anticipation breeds expectation. Sometimes the actual date would prove to be less spectacular than imagined. As an adult, “real” life moves at a much faster pace and somewhere along the line, I began neglecting my imagination all together. Still, the anticipation remains.
In early March, Steven invited me to go to Orange Beach with him and another couple. Elated, I accepted. Within hours, he called to “Indian-give” his offer while replacing it with a better invitation, “I can’t go to Orange Beach due to prior obligation, but now I am thinking about the beach and I’d like to go at a different time. You?” I said, “Sure. When and with whom (like I cared?)” Then he made my day, “Three weeks? Just us?” The following day, we reserved a condo in Destin, Florida.
The anticipation immediately kicked in. The notion of the beach, him, a week without work, the beach, him entered and the countdown began. Steven and I had lunch together the day before we planned on leaving and I said, “I wish we were leaving tonight instead.” He agreed and so, we decided to leave later that evening.
With Steven. Taken on the balcony outside our condo.
Several friends advised me, “Road trips prove a great deal. Whether or not you’re able to survive in a car together for many hours will tell you lots.” The road trip was easy. Steven allowed my music to serve as the background soundtrack . Music is a connector to the past for me and several songs sparked old memories dating back to the young girl who lived within her head. Hearing him involuntarily sing “What’s love got to do, got to do with it?” induced a silent smile. He’d probably deny it now, which is fine. It makes the memory all mine. We filled the space with equal parts silence and conversation. Ten hours in a car with him passed like minutes.
The trip itself was better than imagined. The water was clear and seaweed free and the sand was pearl white. The city itself has changed since my last visit, which was years ago, pre-hurricanes. The water was cold enough to cause a person to go into cardiac arrest, but I swam anyway. We both refused to plan. Each day was a clean slate, free of “to do” lists. We were allowed to actually rest, to revel in the idle. A rarity enabling the heart an exhale. I wish we were still there.
While driving home, Steven mentioned stopping by a casino in Vicksburg, Mississippi to have “dinner.” Both of us aware of the real intent, to gamble and stay the night in another strange bed. I learned yet again, Black Jack is not my friend! My friend Heidi told me, “Worry not of the money lost and rather, embrace the recognition of making memories.” And so, I took her advice.
It’s valuable to discover a long ride in a small car is not so bad with the right person. I assure you, riding in the car was never a chapter in my childhood fantasy bank, though I must confess, the twenty hours in the car may very well be my favorite part of the trip. We’re already discussing beach trip #2, but I’d love to share Chicago with Steven. He has never been. He’s explored the idea of driving and visiting all of the United States this summer. I will encourage him to skip Chicago, but if he can’t wait, at least we have our 569 miles.
Steven with Steve McNair, former NFL Quarterback. Destin, FL
Nothing beats a Florida Sunset.
I love the contrast of red/white against the aqua. Destin, FL.
Comments
You made my response seem considerably more profound than it was.
I know that I was intending to say something to the effect of "Money's only good when it's temporarily yours. Memories are good when they last forever."
LAURYN: It was profound. It was exactly what I needed to hear (right before blowing more money.)
Posted by: Heidi | April 2, 2009 12:42 PM
Reading this makes me that much more excited about my Florida trip in May! I can't wait! Seems very romantic! ;)
LAURYN: Beach vacations are good for the soul.
Posted by: angie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/misadventures/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 2, 2009 12:46 PM
I love road trips. I do agree that making memories is very important in life.
LAURYN: True.
Posted by: Melissa![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/misadventures/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 2, 2009 01:34 PM
Okay, "what's love got to do with it." is MY song. That is the song that is recorded in my brain, for some unknown reason, daily! Strange! That and "sister Christian you're the only one." are those words right, Lauryn?
LAURYN: Haha! Everyone has one of "those" songs. Mine is "I'm only human... " And yep, words are right this time!
Posted by: Angela Taylor | April 2, 2009 03:35 PM
Okay. Now you've done it. Now you & I HAVE to go to Florida together too. Actually, "yo man", Steven, already invited Mitch & I to go with y'all next time you go. Can we have another "Chicago trip" as couples? I think we could sure try! I'm glad you had a great time. You needed the rest! I love the pic of the umbrellas on the beach. I'm still jealous that you got to go to the beach (or any vacation!) and I didn't. :-(
LAURYN: You'll always be my favorite Chicago travel buddy. No lie.
Posted by: Kate | April 2, 2009 06:06 PM
Well, it looks like you had a great time. And for a change, I actually like Steven. That's a big deal. You didn't tell your blog readers that Steven is aka "cute neighbor"...Hmmm? Destin may be known to us as the "red neck riveria" but it is a nice break from the trials of everyday life. The car ride is also a good time to ....relate. Steve McNair huh?...I bet Steven was thrilled. Even when I took you as a kid, I can remember giving the three girls $20 on the last day of the trip..."if you're good...I'll give you $20"...and you always "earned" the goods...I remember Grace buying some kind of religious sea shell with a cross, and Audrey buying the "cigerette burn" gag...you know the cigerette with the glowing ember that sat on a clear plastic burn...that she put on all the couches in the condo so that I'd have a heart attack thinking that I'd burned a piece of furniture. I'm glad you had a great time....and did I tell you, I like Steven.
LAURYN: WOW. I'm speechless.
Posted by: Momster | April 2, 2009 09:11 PM
I'll never forget the first time I took a little road trip with Jose...I kept thinking, "God will this guy ever stop talking??? I want to blast the music and let the windows down!" But now I actually enjoy his blabber mouth on road trips. We actually never even really listen to music anymore - just talk. And eat Hot Tamales, of course. Nice blog once again. :)
LAURYN: Something about a car... strips away the typical walls allowing us to be a bit more vulnerable than normal-- a good thing.
Posted by: Carrie | April 3, 2009 01:40 PM
Wow. I'm really shocked at what Mom said too! She had a bunch of nice things to say. You'll have to show lil' steven!! And Mom, I do remember that shell that Grace bought. She put holy water in it. Go figure. Lauryn, you, Kelly and I, and steven if he wants, need to plan a trip to Florida! I haven't been since 9h grade and reading this blog made me really, really want to go!!!
LAURYN: Twist my arm.
Posted by: AUDREY | April 3, 2009 03:57 PM
I need Florida. Right this second. Sans thunder and lightening. Or a river. Or a lake. What about a pool... at this moment I would settle for a pool.
LAURYN: Settle for a pool? I'd delightfully take any of the above. Sign me up.
Posted by: Armanda | April 9, 2009 03:07 PM