The Perfect Drive
”Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.” - Dau Voire
It’s probably my favorite thing to do, well that and sit around a camp fire. I love being with people and I live for deep philosophical conversations about pretty much anything. I think car rides are like the best place to have those conversations. If you think about it actually, there is not much else to do while riding in a car besides talk or listen. There is something about driving with your best friend, the windows down on a summer night, John Mayer playing in the background, looking at the stars (once we are parked obviously), and just really being in the moment. I like being a little cold and have a oversized sweatshirt on. Usually when Mooch and I do it, it’s late at night so we can just sit back and loose track of time. We can talk and share about anything and it is absolutely my favorite things to do. I think it is one of the only activities that I do where I really am just fully present and in the moment.
It is also a real test, a test of how little you can do with your best friend and still have the best time. For me, that is how I really know a best friend is a best friend. My best friends and I have the most fun, often when we are not doing anything. We can be sitting on the floor, organizing our closets, watching Netflix, or even doing homework together and if I am with them I am constantly geeking.
I am actually sitting in my car while it charges and writing this post. I’m just sitting here typing, reflecting, and listening to my Southern Charm playlist. It is so peaceful and nice to just be stopped for a little.
Life’s kind of like a car. We are always driving never really stopping, and when we do stop we get out of the car and move onto the next thing. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit and talk or reflect without any other distractions or a destination.
Okay so now I just started crying. They aren’t sad tears but I’m overwhelmed with all the emotions. I haven’t really been able to sit and just be in so long. I love these moments so much that if I was given a limited amount of time left to live this is would be one of the ways I would choose to spend my precious time.
Unfortunately, we all do have a limited amount of time. So why aren’t be living like we do?
If I lived more like I did have limited time, I would have my perfect drive nights more often. I would want all my friends just sitting with me listening to music, laughing, telling stories, the wind making us cold so we have to get blankets and sweatshirts, maybe we stop and all look at the stars. I’d tell them how much they mean to me. How I have learned so much from them. How much I love screaming the lyrics at the top of my lungs and even crying my eyes out with them in the car. I’d thank them for getting me home safe during the snow storms and for always giving me the best advice. I’d probably cry a little, like I’m doing right now, telling them all the reasons I love them and articulating all the ways they have made my life beautiful. Then after our perfect drive, I would close the windows, turn off the music, park the car, and step back out into the real world again, knowing that those perfect moments can’t last forever.
So if you’re reading this, and you’ve been on a drive with me, this post is for you. It’s my favorite thing to do and I do not do it with just anyone. You’re special. You’ve impacted my life and I love you.
Love Always,
Casey
