You had me at “let’s go.”

Back home, the only thing I did that freed my mind was driving at night. That was my meditation, that was my outlet. Usually not to any certain destination. Just grabbed the keys and iPod, turned off the GPS, and got lost; “you just leave because the idea of escape is irresistible and driving at night always seems the thing to do whenever your heart is heavy and you need to be alone.”
Sometimes I was alone. Which is completely fine; sometimes, you need that time to just think.
More often, I was with friends. And during those times, some of the best friendships were made. Some of my already-made friendships were reinforced. There is just something so soothing about the endless, unknown road ahead, that people just seem to, connect.

And then I moved to Portland.

After an entire year of being here, I finally went on my first night drive a couple weeks ago, and I loved every second of it.
But it seems that every time I tell my favorite pastime to someone, they give me this look as if to say, “you waste gas money on doing THAT? You do what exactly? Just drive around? To get to nowhere?”
Yes. Yes I do. Maybe it’s just not a pacific northwest thing to do?

Because of those responses, I believe that’s why it took me so long to get out on the open road again. Because maybe it was strange. Maybe it was a stupid thing to do?

But where would I be without those nights? Where would I be without the drive home from Philadelphia blasting Good Charlotte? Without the drive on Route 2 on our way to see the Summer Set five hours away. Without the other drive on Route 2 to see Relient K. And the freezing stops at the lighthouse on our way back. Without the drive down to Steak n Shake at 4am, only to run over a pothole and explode two tires? Without the night you and I were followed by a cop almost all the way home because we put bread in a mailbox. Without all the Sheetz runs! Without the time my battery died and we drove home from Slippery Rock at 3am with no headlights. And of course, without the belt flying off my car. Thank God that belt flew off my car. Because that was a journey we’ll all never forget.

Through all of this, I’ve been given so much hope. Through all of this, I can sincerely say, I’ve grown as a person.
So, the next time someone may tell you that he or she drives at night for fun, instead of giving that look and wondering what planet that person is from, perhaps offer to go along. You have nothing to lose, and only memories to gain.

Excuse me while I grab my keys.