52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2025 – Week 20: Wheels

NOTE: I accepted the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge headed by fellow genealogy blogger Amy Johnson Crow. The idea behind this challenge is that you will receive email prompts, a word or phrase, every week, and you find something about your research or family history to write about.  Click HERE to read my first 52 Ancestors blog post in 2019.

I bought my first car in 1999 during my senior year of college. Well I sent my Dad the money for the down payment, and he picked out my car for me. My brother was with my Dad. My brother still tells me that when he saw the car and knew it was right for me. My sister drove my new/used car to me the next week. So my first car purchase was very much a family affair.

I was so happy when I saw my car for the first time. I named her Precious. She was a 1996 white Chevrolet Cavalier with a rubber bumper. I remember writing the check for my first car payment for $181.72 and putting it in the mail. It was at that point that I really felt like an adult. I had one more semester of college before I graduated, and what’s more adult than buying a car. Precious is the reason I still drive a Chevrolet to this day. I have had a few cars since Precious, but she will always be my favorite car.