Tonight started pretty casually. First we met up with everyone around 5ish, I say “ish” because I was running a little fashionably late, as usual. We all decided to meet at the Lake City Bank on Highway 15. We were the last car to arrive, but everyone else had to wait for us, because we had to lead them to the show, because we were the only ones who knew the directions. We took off down 15 and after traveling the longest 27 miles of my life, we arrived at the show and found our parking spot on the outside edge to join the rest of the 400 plus cars already there. We opened our doors and the music was blaring as we joined the crowd.
This may sound like a typical summer night filled with shenanigans for a regular 20-something, but tonight, I was spending my evening at a car show with my nana, papa and their friends.
After making the rounds and complimenting everyone on their car (most ranging from the 1940’s-1950’s) it was time to get some dinner. We ate at Das Essenhaus (if you’ve never been there…go, immediately.) I was sitting in between 11 of my grandparent’s closest friends and eavesdropping on their conversations ranging from how old I now make them feel, finding a nicer (yet affordable) hotel for their next group vacation, their new favorite YouTube video and finally my personal favorite, and most important; our plot predictions for “Game of Thrones.”
Their inside jokes and nickname calling continued throughout the rest of dinner and we went back outside to look at the rest of the cars and talk to anyone, especially those staring at the “For Sale” signs in the windshields. I talked about this fashion blog, because at this point, we all felt like friends and they asked what I enjoy doing since I am out of school. Right before we took off toward home, I found myself thinking about this night. I always enjoy hanging out with my grandparents and their friends, but I never thought I would have so much in common with them. They proved me wrong once again as we were driving and the entire way home, everyone took their turn at passing each other…yes at one point we went from leading the pack home to being passed by each of the 5 cars following us.
My grandparents and their friends taught me a very valuable lesson tonight; it is crucial to remain young at heart, no matter your age. My pappy has been going to this same car show for over a year now and when I asked him what makes him and friends do this every single week he said simply, “life is too short, to just sit in the house.”
Yes it is.
Steal my look: Band of Gypsies jumpsuit: TJ Maxx, Nine West sandals: TJ Maxx