Love at First Sight

Greetings and Welcome!

It was love at first sight–right there in the parking lot full of used and new cars at Dworkin Chevrolet in Derby, Connecticut, in 1975. We just knew we would be soulmates; there was no question about it. I had suffered the long journey from the factory brand spanking new and she, the one whose CB handle would become the “Camaro Kid” that very year, was waiting for me when the car transport rolled into Dworkin Chevrolet. In fact, I was not even off the transport when she came down to look for me. Unfortunately, I had experienced a rough journey and my passenger side mirror needed to be replaced along with the paint on that door but she had been waiting for me for months and was ecstatic upon my arrival nevertheless. And I am so very, very happy that she prevailed in ordering me and did not listen to the salesperson who was trying to sell her that lime green Nova with the white leather top that was sitting on the lot waiting for a buyer! A few repairs later and many, many loving reincarnations over the next thirty-four years to my present state with a 454 big block, cowl induction system, Holly 750 and a new sound system (so I could do high elevens on a quarter mile track :>) has kept her pretty busy just keeping me in shape and looking handsome and new. We have traveled a long, long journey together in more ways than one and I have tried to be patient in helping her adjust to the many changes we have been through–or forced to endure–depending upon one’s vantage point at the moment. But she has always been there for me and I for her and on our many “drives to nowhere” as she has lovingly referred to them over the years, we have both grown and changed in many ways.

So let’s talk about love at first sight–is it real? Or is it just lust with a socially acceptable moniker to make us all feel better? Hmmmm. Or is it just chemistry? I think the answer lies somewhere in between initial attraction and conscious effort. I think love at first sight is a tendency toward an attraction that can lead two people some place else but only if through conscious effort two people make the decision to be there for each other through thick and thin, for better or worse, with an unconditional guarantee no matter what happens. She has done that for me and our story has unfolded over the years in ways that could not have been contemplated even by her in her wildest dreams. We have had a great life with much fun and personal triumph in between the tears and the losses that have occurred. My primary goal is to chronicle on a day by day basis how we have grown over the years in the hope that some of this guidance will help other folks along their travels on the road of life. My secondary goal is to keep in touch through this blog with all the family, friends and acquaintances to come who, respectively, have been and will become important to she and I. And of course, it would be great if I could convince others just how much fun driving a Camaro actually is! So for now, on behalf of myself and the Camaro Kid, I bid you welcome and I look forward to getting to know you all–

Wishing you much love and happy traveling,

The Car