A Major Milestone

Recently one of my closest friends celebrated a major milestone in her life, engagement. When she called to share the good news I was overjoyed and excited for the future that lay before her. As soon as I got off the phone I started calling everyone I knew, like a proud brother or parent.

In the midst of our conversation I failed to mention my major news of the day, my milestone. It was not engagement (that might be problematic for the whole priesthood thing). It was exciting, kind of like the all important milestones in life like the first word, first step, first day of school, high school graduation, college graduation, first job, first time on national television in a shark costume, first time being thrown off national television in a shark costume, entering the seminary.



After six years together my 2003 Toyota Camry and I celebrated our 100,000 mile anniversary. Yes, that is right we have been together for the good times (driving 1/2 across the country, up mount Washington, alongside Niagara falls), and the bad times (getting stuck in my old steep drive way in every winter storm, the Trinity speed bump, the speeding ticket, traffic, carrying every imaginable thing under the sun for campus ministry). Six years later here we stand.




In honor of this special moment I invited some of my closest friends in the seminary to our party. After carefully timing my mileage for a week, I timed it so the 100,000 th mile would be in the seminary parking lot. When I got lost going to get the donuts I nearly had a major disaster.




We jumped into my car, did a dunkin donut toast and drove around in circles.




It was a great concept except for the fact that a mile is a really long way to go circling the parking lot.




In the end a good time was had by all.




In case you were wondering 100,000 miles amounts to about 93 days of my life in the same exact seat. (that is basing the average mph at 45, not because I am slow but because most of it is on small, slow, country roads and in traffic :(


If anyone was wondering, YES I would break it off with my car should someone want to get me a new car for my birthday. Sorry sharkmobile.