I had always wanted a truck for as long as I can remember. I used to
take my little Chevy Malibu offroading and when I got pulled over for it
(twice) the cops would tell me "next time just bring a truck". Well
when I graduated from Nursing school and got a real grown up job I was
dead set on buying a truck. In December 2011 my wish came true and I
bought a 2008 Toyota Tundra. I named him Hank, aka Hank the Tank.
Well
this past Fall Russ and I seemed to be having more and more
conversations as to if we really needed 3 trucks. Moving to Springville
and having a lot of my life in Orem and Provo I was spending a lot of
money on gas and we decided we could save some money we were spending
unnecessarily on gas just to drive a truck. So... we came to the
decision to sell Hank. In honor of our memories and love for him this
"ode to Hank" is in honor of all the memories we made together over the
years.
I
get emotionally attached to things (obviously), but part of the reason I
had an even harder time getting rid of Hank was because of the memories
linked to Russ and I. To some extent I feel Hank was partly to credit
for bringing Russ and I together. It all started with a Tax return- and I
wanted to use it to upgrade the wheels on Hank and put a small lift on
him, ya know make him look a little less like a dad's truck. So... my
friend from work referred me to Absolute Automotive and told me to talk
to Russ or Luke. Well... that got her mind going and the scheming began.
Russ and I began talking in March and he used the truck as a "buffer"
of conversation talking about ideas of what I wanted to do and what
options were etc... We finally met about a week after conversation
began and the first time I met Russ was in Hank.
Brook and I were
hanging out and when I text him he and Tyson were hanging out so we
decided to meet up. Us women were wanting to go for a drive so Russ gave
me his address and we went and picked them up. It was still winterish
time and I therefore had put some salt in the bed of my truck to add
some weight. I remember Russ and Tyson got in, climbed in the back seat
as Brook was riding shotgun :) and after introductions and hand shakes
were made Russ said " ya know if this was a Chevy you wouldn't need
those salt bags in the back". and I was hooked. We rode around and Russ
directed us to Wallsburg for the first time. The road he led us on got
narrow and more covered in snow so I parked and told him he was now
driving (clever little scheme to get him up front with me). We spent the
night talking and getting to know each other a little better while Hank
kept us safe on different snow covered trails. That was just the
beginning of Hank and I's journey with Russ.
The
conversations continued as far as upgrades for Hank, and he was a prime
opportunity to get me in the shop where Russ conveniently worked, as
well as a reason to text him.
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| Russ had a joke going that he was going to leave some redneck truck nuts on my truck as part of my upgrades. |
The decision was finally made as to what wheels, tires, and lift I was
going to do so I took Hank into the shop and turned him over into Russ's
care. Hank ended up needing a few extra things while in the shop such
as a water pump, and oil change etc.. so I didn't have a vehicle for the
night. Russ took advantage of that and when he invited me to go long
boarding that night used it as an excuse to have to come pick me up and
drop off home separate from everyone :)
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| The finished product! I am still in love with how he turned out |
Fast forward to the next big event involving Hank...
Russ and I had our first kiss in Hank on May 1, 2012. We had been out
offroading and mudding in and the night was perfect! As a result-the
first kiss we had both been waiting for finally happened.
After
that Russ and I were pretty much a sealed deal. But the adventures and
memories made in Hank continued. These are some of the memories that
stand out...
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| Hank ended up being the location where we rung in the new year of 2012. Great way to start the year if you ask me! |
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| Hank
and I went on MANY drives together, whether just the two of us, or with
friends he was a go to for drives and it helped that he could go
anywhere. |
Hank
was a favorite hangout place for the kiddos. Didn't matter if it was in
the bed or the cab of the truck, they just loved him.
 |
| The white Truck Posse |
 |
| Hank
was the vehicle of choice for our Honeymoon adventures. Hank took us
all around Northern Utah, up into Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. |
.JPG) |
| Couples that drive trucks together-stay together! |
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| Family of Trucks |
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| Saying Goodbye. |
Obviously
there are many more memories I'll never forget but I'm grateful to
have had such a great first truck & obviously grateful for the help
it was in hooking my husband :) Thanks for taking care of me over the
years Hank, and for being my first love!
