by Mary Kate Williams

When the weather calls for decreasing temperature and the question “Why did I move here?” is frequently asked, warm, snuggly, yet frumpily ugly clothes beckon us all. That’s how my past few days have been, until one attraction came up which required my cutest clothes: the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Being a gear-headed girl, going to the auto show is like walking through a candy store as a kid. When I received tickets to go, I knew exactly what I wanted to see and oddly enough, who I wanted to go with. I whipped out my best outfit, did my hair and worked up the courage to ask the cutest boy I know if he wanted to go. Thankfully, he said yes. My heart pounded as he came to pick me up.  I couldn’t decide which I was more excited about – the new Bentley Mulsanne or the guy, but since I didn’t know either one very well, I would let the day determine that.

Luckily for me, the guy was also a total car fanatic (otherwise he wouldn’t have been nearly so cute), so we had plenty to talk about. Walking around the show there was so much to look at, so many engines and pretty cars. The Comcast Super Cars exhibit was the king of all exhibits, holding Bentley, Maserati, Ferrari, McLaren, Fisker, Lamborghini and the king of all: Rolls Royce. You haven’t seen a true masterpiece until you visit. There are many other great exhibits like the Jaguar, Jeep, and Dodge, for instance. The Auto Show is not like walking around at a mall, browsing through things you could buy or never buy—rather, it is to touch and feel and observe pure craftsmanship. There is a car for everyone, whether you’re a classic lover, modernist, muscle cars, luxury cars, etc.

While there was all this wonder and amazement around me, the most incredible thing I saw was the boy standing right beside me. Not only did I learn about the cars I wanted but the boy I wanted to get to know as well. We talked of cars and music, things we like to do. We had a lot in common, even though when it came to cars we were a little distant. There was one car that brought us together—one car that brought everyone together—the 2013 Chevy Corvette, a brand new incredibly smart engine with sharp styling which is sure to turn any one’s head. Two other cars lead the pack in our minds: the twins of the race course, the Scion FRS and the Subaru BRZ. The two makes came together to create a sleek looking sporty car which will appeal to the general public.

I had entered the auto show with hopes of new beginnings and as I drove away, I knew that there could be doors opening in the near future. Though the door may not lead to the prettiest of clothes in my closet or the Bentley of my dreams, it will still set me off on roads paved with good intentions. The Auto Show was one adventure I was lucky enough to experience with him. I hope this will lead to plenty more adventures with him by my side.