By: Emma Sullivan
Updated: Dec. 18, 2023
Originally Published: June 5, 2023
You might not openly share with your partner how much you appreciate those small gestures, but in their subtlety, you realize just how much you miss them. As your spouse gently places his warm palm on the back of your neck after shifting the car into drive, you ponder whether he feels that same sense of belonging. Perhaps he finds solace in knowing that you are his, just as he is yours.
You excitedly mention your dream of owning a restored Volkswagen Beetle someday. You paint a picture of that vibrant green bug your uncle had back in the ’70s, recalling how you would balance on the running boards while he rolled it down your grandparents’ driveway in Queens, his arm securely wrapped around your waist. You were the coolest 4-year-old in your eyes. Your partner chuckles and promises to buy you one when the kids are older, so you can cruise around like the spirited woman you know you’ll always be. He squeezes the sides of your neck gently, a small gesture that communicates everything you need to hear—over and over again, in the simplest of ways.
You reminisce about the various cars you’ve shared journeys in together. There was the forest-green Subaru hatchback with the tan leather interior that he inherited while you were in college. It was in that car where you fell for him long before your first kiss. You can still feel the butterflies in your stomach—the dizzy excitement that took you by surprise.
You remember the day the transmission finally failed while he was driving to college just days before senior year. He called you from a payphone to rescue him from a gas station near Roscoe, New York, and though you had been dating for a few months, it filled you with joy to be the first person he thought of.
Countless drives occurred between your parents’ home and his during school breaks. You would take your silver Subaru Justy, with its three-cylinder engine, navigating the winding Connecticut roads, passing historical cemeteries. Each trip brought a mix of gratitude and the bittersweet reminder of time slipping away. You would shift gears to the rhythm of the radio, feeling young and carefree, pressing the gas pedal just a little harder to make the most of those moments.
The summer nights spent driving together were filled with a sense of freedom and connection, where the destination didn’t matter. His hand would brush against your thigh, a sweet reminder of your closeness, as the cool breeze danced through the car. You recall the countless times you parked in quiet places, away from the bustle, where the darkness enveloped you, and the soft glow of the radio created an intimate atmosphere.
These days, though, you often find your car rides filled with the chaos of family life. The trips are dominated by GPS mishaps, arguments over time, and the constant requests for bathroom breaks and snacks. The backseat used to be filled with booster seats, and it’s hard to fathom that soon, your children will be in the driver’s seat.
Yet occasionally, you reach over to place your hand on his thigh while he drives. Your fingers trace along the inseam of his jeans. He responds by taking your hand in his, displaying a protective warmth that reassures you both. He kisses your hand softly and returns it to his thigh, holding it there despite your gentle protests about needing both hands on the wheel. “No, I don’t,” he insists, and in that moment, you are reminded of what you’ve always wanted—to be his and to share life’s winding drive together.
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In summary, life is a beautiful journey filled with memories and moments that shape our relationships. From road trips to quiet drives, it’s the love we share that makes the experience worthwhile.
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