Love of Annie and the Honda

Some fathers show love for their new daughters by snuggling for hours, buying oodles of presents or heaping kisses. But the greatest testament to my (Matt, guest columnist) love of Annie (and Mel) is tackling the dreaded 5-speed Honda Accord. When we married, I told Melissa that driving a standard was a waste of time and I would never drive her car. Well as time wore on and we looked at the logistics of life, I decided that I would drive Mel’s Honda once we had our first child so that she could drive our roomier Toyota Highlander. As the due date drew closer, the big elephant in the room remained, “Would Matt ever learn to drive the Honda?” I thought that I had until late June to enjoy luxuries like talking on the phone while driving or eating a last minute snack on the way to work.

As overwhelmed and excited as I was about Annie’s arrival four weeks early, I knew that meant that I would need a FAST crash course on the Honda. After watching a quick Youtube how-to video, my dad took me to the local high school parking lot for a 30 minute tutorial. Flashbacks of age 16 ran through my mind. “Let off the clutch a little slower,” my dad would say as the car sputtered and our heads looked similar to baseball bobbleheads. Soon my dad left and I was all by myself with a one-week old baby and a pile of anxiety called the Honda. The little sleep in that first three weeks paled in comparison to the frustration of driving that silly standard.

So the first morning came where I drove to work in the Honda and it was quite an experience. Thankfully I only live three miles from my office; but unfortunately there are nine lights in that span. My first week included a healthy balance between stalling at green lights and squealing tires like an Indy Car driver. Many funny looks, a few middle fingers and countless smiles and chuckles surrounded my path between my office and the safety of my driveway.

But today I hold my head high and my love for Annie and Melissa is evident. There are occasionally car stalls and a random tire squeals, but those are great reminders of the joys of parenthood. Mr. Honda, you will not steal my joy!