Richard had been counting down the days until 18th birthday, not just because it meant he officially an adult. It meant he could finally his first car. For years, he had been money, from odd jobs and birthdays. Today was day he had been waiting for.

With his by his side, they headed to a small car dealership. Richard had his heart set on old but reliable sedan. After an hour of , they stumbled upon a 2015 silver Honda Civic. wasn't the flashiest, but it had been well . Richard's heart raced as he test-drove it. Back the dealership, they struck a deal. Richard drove very own car off the lot. The sense independence and freedom was overwhelming.

Over the next months, Richard learned about car maintenance, and responsible . The car became a symbol of responsibility and . It carried him through high school, college, and his first job. However, Richard never forgot the he got his first car.