Posing with cars has been a family tradition for generations. I began posing with our ’31 or ’32 Chevy named “Betsy” when I was a year old (running boards and fenders were a big help for posing small children). I’ve been posing with cars ever since. I’ll find many more, but here are the first few.

In the meantime, fast forward to 2001. This is what I wrote in May that year about my 1961 Corvette:

A vexing question: How to celebrate my mistress’ 40th birthday?

We first met when she was eight years old.  She became mine when she was 10 years old and I was 18 years her senior.  The difference in our ages seemed like a lot back then.  Now that she is 40 and I am 58 the difference doesn’t seem so great.  She is eligible for an antique license plate and I am eligible for AARP.

According to her Vehicle Identification Number she rolled off the assembly line in May 1961.

We’ve been together for 30 years – three-quarters of her life and nearly half of mine.  I remember the day I drove her home.  I went out to the garage that evening and just sat behind the wheel – what a feeling!  Lots of memories since then.

She doesn’t look her age, but I look mine.

So how does one celebrate a birthday like this?  I know Corvette folk do have birthday parties.  But this doesn’t seem like a party event to me.  Maybe Karen and I will take her out for ice cream and reminisce for a while.

And I think I’ll make her a birthday card.