Arpita Das

The car that I drive who’s named Ollie.

Dear Present me, 

To all the adventures, Ollie, 

You’re the best car I’ve ever been able to drive—and also the safest—so thank you for all the excursions. 

At first, I wasn’t very fond of your name.  You aren’t entirely mine, yet I’ve enjoyed every memory I’ve had with you. 

I’ll never forget the first time my family drove you home. It was a chilly and cloudless Saturday afternoon—Dad was driving—and I was in the passenger seat, living out my childhood dreams of sitting in the front. 

You had so many settings; I was mesmerized just looking at the car console. 

I was so distracted by the beautiful scenery of the sunset that it didn’t even cross my mind how chilly it was outside. You have provided me with some of the best scenic views in Michigan. 

The first time we drove you, we were coming back from a family get-together in Chicago and had to attend a potluck party the same day. 

Despite the day’s events, all I could think about was driving you home. I wanted to fill the empty spot in the garage that had been vacant for so long—at last, it was going to be filled with a Volvo. 

However, it didn’t matter what car you were; frankly, I didn’t care if you were a car. What mattered was that you were something that added meaning. You were something that had meaning before, but now, you were something that tied the garage all together; you were a versatile Volvo. 

Instead of the spare garage acting as a repository for an extra fridge, colorful bikes, vibrant wires, and dusty, brown paperbacks, it was filled with an automobile—something that could move. 

You were the vehicle that let me have my own solo concerts away from everyone else. 

The vehicle that let me experience the start of my driving career. 

The vehicle that let me carpool with friends. 

The vehicle that let me create an endless realm of memories with my family. 

And also my very first car.

You are the memorabilia that I continue to reminisce upon. I can’t imagine having any other car as my first vehicle, and I’m so glad that my first drive was with you. 

My last excursions with you as a high schooler will soon be coming to an end, and I don’t think I’m ready for that. 

I don’t plan on taking you to college, but I hope that you’ll continue to fill the empty void in the garage like you always have. I hope that you’ll continue to be fueled up for more road trips, grocery runs, carpools, and other unpredictable experiences. 

I won’t get to ride with you every day, but whenever I get the chance, I’ll be sure to always lock the doors. Despite all the technical difficulties I’ve encountered with you, I wouldn’t change it for the world; you were my first car, and you always will be. 

So, thank you for all the adventures, Ollie, 

Sincerely, 

Present me