Share The Love

Valentine's Day has come and gone; and so has "Doghouse Day" - which is February 15th. When I was in high school an uncle of mine used to call it that. What he meant was, if you had a wife, girlfriend, fiance, or female partner, you ALWAYS got them some token of love on the 14th. If not, chances are guess where you were the next day? Now that I've been part of the male species for the past 50+ years, it still amazes me how guys torture themselves when it comes to the day of love; or any other special day that involves love or some other form of appreciation. The answer is simple guys - share the passion you have for vintage high-performance iron. There's a line from a classic late '60's movie where one of the main characters tells his friend, "Guys spend more money on a car in a month, then they do on their wife and kids all year." While that may be true in some cases, here's how the scales can be better balanced:


 - Share the Joy Ride; If you have a classic vehicle that runs and is reliable, be it a muscle car, street rod, rat rod, or even if it's a vintage station wagon, take your other half out for an engaging ride. Travel down some scenic back roads or go someplace you've never been before. Better still, let her drive it (and more than "at least for a while"). Turn off the cell phones or any other buzz kill. Talk to each other. Have a good laugh. Cruise down positive memory lane. If there's one in your area, take in a drive-in movie. After the first initial shock of, "Who are you and what have you done with my husband (or whatever the appropriate title is)?", you just might be surprised at how much your partner warms up to your hobby and passion.


 - Share the Knowledge; Wanna know one of the best things I've ever done with my kids and grand-kids? Took them to car shows and transportation museums. It also worked with my Dad who is now almost 81 years old and blind. About 15 years ago, before he lost his sight, my wife and I took him to the local transportation museum. It was one of the best times he ever had and still talks about it to this day. And here's a twist - it was a brief bonding moment between him and I, because for years we didn't dance at all. Do either of my kids own any vintage Detroit iron? Not at the moment, but they have each owned a classic car. Will they in the future? Don't know. Does it matter? No, it doesn't. The fact is I was able to pass down one of my strongest passions and they can appreciate it. And that appreciation goes both ways. I can, in return, show appreciation for their passions. It strengthens a relationship which is a 2-way street with both parties giving 100%.

 - Share the Gratitude; If your a guy or gal who has at least a mildly understanding partner who
allows the hot rod, or especially the "project in process" and lets you wrench on it in your spare time, be grateful... very grateful. Not everyone is accommodating and understanding of our hobby and passion. I know of a hand-full of people who would love to get involved with the hobby, but their spouses and/or partners won't let them. The verbal reasons or control issues may be different, but the core factor is usually based in some type of fear. I'm don't have a PhD in psychology, but I've seen and heard it time and time again. Someone feels like "the old car" will interfere with something, be it the relationship, money, or something else. However, the bottom line is someone is usually afraid they either won't get their way, or their afraid of losing something. And that's a shame. Because if one can't follow their passion, share that passion (and keep things in balance as well), then we all lose in one form or another.

Until next time, be sure to share the love.
Dave