Cars

 Alden was a car guy. He knew how big of an engine most cars had, mostly because he was always wondering how fast it could go. He liked cars for their speed...but he also just plain liked cars. 

His first car, I believe, was a stationwagon. I don't know much about it, except that I know he took it when he would go camping with friends. The first car I remember him with was his Del Sol. 

He got the Del Sol from someone he did computer work for. A lady he grew to be good friends with. The Del Sol was a convertible- black. He loved that car. The reason I remember him with it is because it is why I gave in and went on a date with him. This was right after we finished high school. He called me a few times, wanting to take me out to do something. I wasn't a fan of Alden at the time, and didn't know why he kept wanting to take me out. Finally I gave in when he offered to just take me on a drive in his car. He said I could bring any CD I wanted and we'd listen to it. I like cars too...mostly rumbley ones and sports/muscle cars. But I had never been in a convertible before...and I loved listening to music. So, that got me to agree. I brought my Bon Jovi CD and we went for a drive. Sadly the weather wasn't conducive for the top to be taken down, but I enjoyed the ride. I enjoyed it enough that I agreed to a real date later that night (but that's another story). I often joked with friends about this date with Alden, and said I once went out with a guy because I liked his car. (Little did I know I'd end up marrying him, haha) 

The next car I knew about was his Jeep. Now, the jeep was a fixer upper. He said he learned a lot about cars from working on that jeep. He took my sister out on some mountain snow adventures in that jeep. He loved how he didn't have to worry about that car, because it wasn't worth much anyway. 

At some point he had a VW Rabbit. I never saw that car, and he didn't talk much about it. 

The miata....Aldens "dream" car...I remember when he got that one. He actually came over to my parents house and took my 2 sisters for a ride (not me...I didn't go that time- remember, I didn't really like Alden). He loved his miata. His dad had had one when Alden was a kid, and he had always wanted one for himself. He told me (much later) that he got so much joy driving it around because it sounded faster than it went. I only ever went on 1 ride in it. It was also a convertible. One night, as I was leaving Moeton after spending the day with him, he stopped me to ask of I'd like to go for a quick ride. This car ride we got to have the top down. I loved riding in that car with him. You could just feel his joy while driving it. He sold that car not long after that ride. (A decision he layer regretted...but he rationalized be didn't need so many cars, haha) 

Alden also had a 4Runner. Alden loved Toyotas and loved how aggressive the 4Runner looked. I have some fun memories of riding around in it while we were dating. He and I went on some adventures in that car. 

You can't talk about cars and not mention Aldens Golf R. Alden adored that car. He felt like it was his splurge car, his only ever impulse buy. He loved how fast it went and how it handled. He loved how it didn't look fast, we nicknamed it the sleeper car. I only ever went on 1 ride with him in the Golf. It was his garage baby, but he hit 100mph with me in it late one night. He loved that. Now that I drive it I can see why he enjoyed that car...it likes to go fast.

One of the things about Alden, that I loved, was how he got excited for everyone about their own cars. If you told him you just got a mini van he'd tell you how fast it was and how he got passed by one on a race track once. When his mom bought an electric car he looked up the specs so be knew how much fun it would be to put your foot in it. I remember him being excited about my first subaru when he saw it. He talked it up so much that I thought it was cooler than I already did. When his brother got his corvette, Alden was so excited for him. (Admittedly, it's a cool car, but still) Alden even talked up his friends truck and how capable it was. He just liked to find something that made everyone's vehicle great. He was always the guy you wanted to show your car off to. 

We would watch car shows together (the Grand Tour, for example) and we had a favorite YouTube guy we watched. He was always looking at what was coming out. He and I were super excited for the Supra and were looking forward to seeing the redone BRZ. 

 One of his favorite things to do was to wash cars. He loved to make things look like new again. He once helped a friend sell his mini Cooper by detailing the car for him. He took before and after photos, he was so proud of how it looked. He loved keeping my car looking brand new. He honestly thought it was fun to clean them. 

I learned so much from him about cars. He was always patient and kind when I'd ask him questions. 

He learned what I liked about cars and would love when I'd find cool ones and send him a photo to help identify. He loved that I enjoyed something that he did. Our car passion was complimentary- he loved going fast and I loved engine noise...and riding in fast cars. One of our favorite things that we did in Vegas together was a police car chase. I got to ride with a professional drifter (fyi, drifting in a car- with a professional-is soooo much fun!) In a mustang convertible while my husband chased us (going quite fast) in a cop car around a track. Both of us were doing what we loved and we had a blast! 

I love that I have so many good car memories with him. I have ridden in most of his cars - all the fun ones- with him. It's a passion we both shared, and it was so fun to enjoy it together. I will always be glad that Alden encouraged that part of me...and always supported my own car dreams. 

I love you Alden. I hope you are watching me and the smile your Golf brings me and know that I think of you every time I drive it.