Just for you Dad!

As a gift for my Father on his Birthday I decided to give him one of my favorite memories. I also know that this is one of his favorites because it's a classic. However, I'm not sure if he has ever herd me tell it before. I'm expecting that this will be fun for him. So here we go.......................... MY 16TH BIRTHDAY!!!!

I am the oldest in my family so it was a big deal when I was legal to drive. Obviously for me but just as much for my parents. I was grateful that my father was just as excited to get me a car as I was to get one. Our priorities were a bit different however. I was looking for something more like a Honda Accord with maybe 5 years under its hood. And my Dad was looking for something that was 2 bolts away from dumpsterville. He found it..........A Volkswagen bug that was in serious need of some help. He seemed to be very confident in his abilities to fix it up just right for me. I on the other hand wasn't so confident. But being the good daughter that I was I didn't want to shatter his excitement. So I went along with a smile. And in all honesty, the thing that kept me going was the fun, cute look that a valkswagen bug has. Something different. Why be like every body else right? So it was bought. My Dad decided that my birthday was a perfect time to go pick it up. We piled everybody in the mini van and headed for the freeway to down town Columbus. When we got there the green bug was parked in back of an old house with grass growing around it like it hadn't been moved in years. It wasn't the best way to sell the thing to me. I was a little nervous to be driving it. Anyway, The next thing I remember is my Father driving, me in the passengers seat next to him and my sister Natalie in the back seat on our way back home. My mother and the rest of my family were following behind us in the Mini Van. It was dark by this time and it started to rain. Once we got on the freeway my Dad put the wipers on which failed to work. The car would barley go up to 50 mph. And when it did it sounded like it was being tortured to say the least. We pulled off of our exit and as we did so, my mother behind us starts honking her horn over and over again frantically trying to get our attention. When my Dad looked behind him all he could see were flames. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE!!!!!!!! He pulled the car over immediately and yelled at the 2 of us to get out of the car. My poor sister was in the back closest to the fire and trapped behind the two front seats that were refusing to cooperate and move forward. My Dad scrambled to get her out and then ran to the back of the car to the engine. He pulled up the tiny little hood and flames started bursting out at him. He took his jacket off and started hitting at the flames to smother them out. Meanwhile my mother runs to the nearest restaurant and calls 911. My father succeeds in smothering the flames, with some help from the rain I'm sure, just in time for a big fire truck to arrive. It looked to me like my father was a bit embarrassed standing next to the engine shifting his weight a lot while talking with the firemen. Later I found out that the tags on the licence plates were expired and he was worried they might find out. I was watching all of this from the inside of the mini van wondering what was being said . All of the sudden they all start looking around on the ground obviously looking for something. This is when I noticed a few very good looking firemen and decided that they obviously needed my help. When I got out into the rain I asked what was going on. Apparently my Dad had put the key in his jacket before he started trowing it around, thrashing it against the flames. The Key had to have fallen out of the jacket, on to the street or near by. Everybody was helping to search for a shinny metal thing in the dark and the rain. As I was helping to do the same I was excited when a few of the "cute" firemen wished me happy birthday with a sympathetic smile. I don't even remember if we found the key or not. This tragic night turned out wonderful in my eyes after that. Best birthday ever as far as I was concerned at that point. A tow truck was called and I rode with my dad in the tow truck as we headed home. Soaking wet and a little worried about my future car, I gave my Dad a big hug. My 16th birthday adventure was over. But that wasn't the end for my little green bug. My dad kept his promise and made it perfect. Well perfect enough for me anyway. And there are many many more adventures that I had in that little green thing. I loved every minute of my time spent in My bug. It was a great car.

So there you have it Dad. My version of the story. I know that you tell it so much better then me and maybe now you have a little bit more to add when telling this classic tale to others. Thanks for the memories Dad. I had a wonderful childhood filled with love and adventure. What more could I ever ask for. Your my Hero! Then, now and always! Happy Birthday!!!!