“A car is not just a machine; it is a story. It is a collection of memories, a witness to our lives, and a reflection of our souls.” — Enzo Ferrari

Spring in North Carolina always produces beautiful flowering plants and trees. However, with that beauty comes the persistence of that crazy yellow substance that covers everything: pollen.

The problem with pollen is that you have to let it run its course before attempting to clean anything outdoors. Otherwise, you just run yourself ragged trying to get ahead of it. So, you wait until that perfect moment when you can finally clean up and return to normal.

The first Sunday in May was finally the day I decided to clean my 2023 Honda CR-V, affectionately named Rameses. When I say I “clean” my car, I need to clarify: I spent about two and a half hours detailing that beautiful ride. Before Rameses came into my life, I had never spent that much time cleaning a vehicle. One detailing session probably equaled all the time I had spent cleaning my previous cars combined.

Like most people, I remember my very first vehicle: a 1976 Chevrolet pickup. It was a short-bed step-side and was absolutely beautiful. Hank, however, could have found a better owner than me. My dad was gracious enough to give me the truck and help me restore it, but I didn’t truly appreciate it then, which was apparent in the way it was driven and maintained.

Eventually, he sold it and got me a 1983 Toyota Corolla. Cracker was a fun car; he earned his name because he backfired every time you threw it into second or third gear. Cracker got me through high school and college, taking a beating and somehow continuing to tick.

Cracker eventually made way for Hank Jr., the first car I purchased myself: a green Chevrolet S-10. Once kids came into the picture, the truck was out, replaced by sedans: Garth, a white Dodge Intrepid, and Teddy, a brown Ford Taurus. Even though these were my cars, I definitely put them to the test. My signal to clean the car was usually when you couldn’t see the carpet on the passenger side anymore.

I started smoking and chewing tobacco at a very young age, and there was a strong connection for me between nicotine and driving. Not only were my cars dirty, they smelled.

Mark Twain is often credited with saying, “Quitting smoking is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve done it thousands of times.”

In 2010, I finally decided to quit smoking and dipping, habits I had carried for 25 years. Part of my strategy was a reward: I was going to buy a new car. I wanted a Honda CR-V. They were practical, and it turned out to be a smart investment since they hold their value so well.

It worked. I purchased my first CR-V, and I never smoked or dipped again.

While I quit smoking, I hadn’t yet picked up the habit of cleaning. After several years, two kids, and dogs, the car was nasty. I hardly ever cleaned the outside, much less the inside. I actually had a neighbor offer to detail the car as a gift once. He said he had never seen a vehicle more disgusting.

But I absolutely loved Phineas. He was mine from 2010 to 2022, hauling us from preschool drop-offs to soccer, tumbling, and dance.

In February of 2021, after a brief battle with lung cancer, my dad passed away. He was one of my best friends, and I was devastated. Dad, who had worked in the insurance industry forever, had a policy that left a little money to my brother and me.

The timing was bittersweet. My daughter needed a car as she started driving, so I passed Phineas down to her, the same car I had driven her to preschool in, and used my inheritance as a down payment on a 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport.

Rameses was amazing. Having not bought a car in 12 years, the new features blew me away. As I sat there, taking in that new car smell, I made a commitment right then and there to honor my dad through this car. I promised myself that whenever I finally parted with it, it would look as good as it did the day I drove it off the lot.

I took cleaning to another level. I watched YouTube videos on detailing. I went to AutoZone and bought everything. I even got those tiny brushes to clean the deepest crevices. I would regularly spend three hours detailing Rameses.

Returning to that Sunday in May: I had finished the interior but hadn’t touched the exterior yet. In hindsight, that was a blessing.

The day after I finished that meticulous interior detail, I was hit by a reckless driver while pulling into my neighborhood. I saw him coming up the shoulder and was able to accelerate and turn left just in time. He hit my right rear quarter panel instead of my door. I was fortunate not to be T-boned, but the damage was severe. With the airbags deployed, the insurance company totaled Rameses.

As you may know, I recently started a new business, which turned three months old this week. While I am busy sowing seeds, I have yet to reap the full bounty of the harvest. For a fledgling business, when revenue is still growing, you look for ways to reduce expenses.

Reflecting on the accident, I realized God might have had a different plan. I had two years of payments left on Rameses, nearly $500 a month. As I prayed, I saw an opportunity to use the insurance settlement to pivot. I decided to find a vehicle that would eliminate that debt entirely.

Thanks to the team at Leith Honda, I was able to negotiate a deal for a 2026 Honda Civic Sport. He’s clean, bright red, and sports black wheels. More importantly, he is fuel-efficient, costs less to insure, and best of all, he is completely paid off.

So, welcome to the family and to Tying It Together, Sir Fergie.

I can’t wait for our first detail.

And I am sure Dad would approve.