I’m doing something a bit impulsive. I’m buying my son Alex a car for this summer, even though he doesn’t really “need” one.
But not just any car, a mint condition 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG with 23,000 miles. A fire breathing classic two seater hardtop convertible with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 493 HP engine. This car was, and still is, Mercedes’ ultimate gentlemen’s convertible roadster.
The SL AMG was one of many dream cars for middle aged men like me who became adults in the 1990s. And now this iconic classic is ours.
Surely some of you may be thinking this is the worst idea ever. However, sometimes the impulsive decisions turn out to be the best ones. This certainly was an emotional purchase, but I think for all the right reasons.
What I’ve learned from my wife Allyson’s passing is that we don’t really have a lot of time. Friends and family are here now, and later not. It is the same case with my kids.
Jack is in his third year studying Computer Science in Taiwan. Alex will start at University of Washington in September. This is my last summer as a full-time Dad. It is most likely the last time we’re under the same roof.
It’s incredible how quickly the years have gone by. 27 years with Allyson, 20 with Jack, and now 18 with Alex. It wasn’t that long ago when they were little boys running around the new house in Sammamish. In the blink of an eye, they are both becoming independent adults, and I will be the only one home.
Talk about an empty nest… The real test of my solitude will begin this fall.
We were taught to work hard. Make money. Chase careers. But what for?
My wife Allyson is no longer here. I can no longer spoil her with the luxuries in life. With all the material success I’ve had, it doesn’t mean much if there’s no one to share with. My two kids are all I got.
The best use of my resources is to enhance the time I have left. I have three months with Alex before he’s off to college. Last two summers, Alex travelled to Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore with his mom and brother. We have no travel plans for this summer. I would like father and son to spend time around home.
That’s the real purpose of the car. It’s not about transportation. It’s not about showing off. It’s about making memories. It’s about family.
Did you know that insurance can be cheaper to buy a car and insure a kid than to just add them to your own vehicle? In my case, by about 50%! Once I learned that, I pivoted pretty quickly from a friend’s hand-me-down Toyota to looking for a fun car we can both enjoy.
When I suggested getting a Mercedes convertible, and not just any convertible, but the iconic SL, Alex’s eyes lit up. I would walk by his computer and see him browse car ads. He excitedly talks about driving it to school. He talks about picking up his prom date in a sleek convertible. His friends are queuing up for rides.
Since the start of this journey, Alex and I have spent many afternoons together, driving around looking at cars. While we do talk about cars, we also talk about other things; life, money, success, girls. It’s just a car, but he has more pep in his step. I can’t wait to see his grin when he takes the car out for the first time.
From a practical perspective, the car allows Alex to work a summer job, but I think the car gives us one extra special thing to do together. We can take it to the car shows on weekends. Or just go out for a lazy drive. I can show him how to wash and clean the car, and how to do simple maintenance. All the while, we can talk about life and whatever comes to mind. You know, normal father and son stuff, except while driving an iconic classic roadster!
I only have three months left with Alex. Last summer I didn’t know my time with Allyson was coming to an end. I’m not going to make that mistake again. I hope our summer is filled with adventures, stories that we can recall when he and I are both older.
The car’s name? You might have guessed it. It’s Summer, a name that represents “brightness, warmth, and a carefree spirit.” I hope this Summer gives Alex lots of good memories.
