Sunday Night Drives

We love to go for drives on Sunday night. It was a tradition when I was growing up in Alaska with my family, and one I have carried on. There is just something magical about going for a drive... especially at night, when the world is settling down for sleep; nighttime drives can be highly romantic. 

When I was younger, we would head down by the ocean and see all the beauties that Alaska had to offer: whales, mountains, glaciers, bald eagles... the list is really endless. The point of the drives was not to see God's creations; though that was a side benefit. The point was our family drives got us all together in one spot where we would talk, dream, sing, and spend quality time together. Those drives are still some of my favorite childhood memories. Those drives helped me become the "thinker" that I am today. I would stare out the window, ask deep questions, ponder the universe, and try to figure out my place in it. 

Now our drives are a little less dynamic as far as the wonders of nature are concerned. We mainly drive around in neighborhoods, up the foothills, and sometimes we venture to the beauties of Idaho City. Even though the scenery has changed from the vast Alaskan wilderness to the city streets of Idaho; the Spirit in the car is the same. 

Last night we all loaded up in the van, we turned on a CD my dad got us, and we took off into the warm night air. With the windows down, and the smell of flowers enchanting our noses, it was the perfect night to all be smashed together in the car for Sunday singing time. The CD had a variety of music that we could all sing along to in harmony. The music group is called Collabro. I had never heard of them, but my dad is kind of a connoisseur of music, and so he always provides the latest quality musicians to listen to. This particular CD had all the best songs on it like: Bring Him Home, All of Me, Say Something, Let it Go, Come What May, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and some other really good songs. 

At one point during the drive the sun had set, it was dark, and the street lights were shining. There was not a lot of traffic, I was really enjoying driving, and I just felt good. All the kids were singing at the top of their lungs -- even Henry. I was singing along too, with my hair whipping me in the face, and a surge of joy filled my entire being; I felt excited about life. Life felt really, really, good. My family was happy. My family was full of joyful song. My heart almost burst with gratitude for that moment of pure bliss while driving around the streets of the city, surrounded by my children, while enveloped in music. I am struggling to describe the moment in words, but it was truly magical. 

We had gone through the entire CD, I was heading home, and the kids begged for me to keep driving. They did not want to stop, they wanted to keep singing. They wanted to soak in more of that magic that we were allowed to feel. Instead of pulling into the driveway, I started the CD over, and we continued on the drive for a little longer -- until everyone had had their fill of the moment of Heaven on Earth. We ended our drive with the song, "Come What May." And I pulled into the driveway with tears in my eyes. 

Here is the chorus to the song, and my kids were singing it at the top of their lungs: 

And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide

Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side

Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide

But I love you, I love you

Until the end of time

Come what may, come what may

I will love you until my dying day

Oh, come what may, come what may

I will love you, I will love you

Until my dying day

My kids changed the words though and instead of singing, "Until my dying day," they sang, "For all Eternity." I felt Charles really close, as if the children were delivering a message to me, from him. It felt good to have him close, it felt highly romantic... it was a good, positive, and joyful feeling. I did not feel sad, I just felt super excited about seeing him again someday. 

When we got home no one wanted to get out of the car. When we went inside the house they all talked about how amazing the drive was. And just a few minutes ago I heard William say, "Do you remember that awesome car ride last night?" 

And that is how memories are made, and how love is grown. 

Magic, I tell you. 

Pure magic.