You guys watch the show This Is Us, right? Well, it’s absolutely one of my favorite shows on television right now and has been since day one! So, like millions of Americans, I tuned in all teary-eyed to last week’s episode where the Pearson Family reminisces about all of the sweet and bittersweet experiences they shared centered around their family car. And then, of course, we learn that Jack knew all along just how much this car would be integral to their family in creating a lifetime of memories. *ALL the tears!*
I mean, I have stories around *my* first car – like how I bought it as a stick shift because it was cheaper and only learned to drive stick the moment I almost rolled back into traffic. Haha. And how I’d push the limits of that old car driving it up and down the road to see my boyfriend (now my husband) or road trip for another college party with my girls. And finally, how I packed up that baby after college and started a whole new life in Atlanta nearly a whole 17 years ago…
However, as far as my family goes, I’ll have to say our “car story” probably started only about 2 years ago. I’d just quit my job to pursue my blog full time and still really unsure of how that was going to turn out, when I got an email from a Kia Exec. inviting my family on a trip to Orlando happening in a few months. I had absolutely no idea what to expect. It was really my first press trip with a brand and I was elated to be able to share my world with my family. I’ll have to admit, I didn’t know that much about Kia cars – or if I’m being really honest, not that much good stuff, but I was happy to learn and enjoy the experience. Little did I know, that would be the start of our family’s car story.
The trip was the #SedonaFamily trip where we got to drive the brand new Kia Sedona minivan from Tampa to Orlando, FL. While in Orlando, we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, experienced Universal Studios and the Kennedy Space Center as a family and had such an incredible time together! While we’d traveled as a family before that, it was the first trip that my youngest daughter, Samara, was really old enough to remember. So that made it extra special since she still talks about that trip from time to time.
Read all about the #SedonaFamily Trip here
Following that trip, I really wanted to get to know more about Kia since it was clear that the brand had made some serious changes to their cars over the past few years and I never would’ve thought I’d enjoy driving a Kia so much! So, I asked the Kia team if I could try out another one of their newer vehicles. This time, I got to drive the Kia Optima. I remember this experience especially because I was driving my girls up to their grandmother’s house in Virginia and these would be the last 7 hours I’d get to spend with them before they’d be away from me for a big chunk of summer. This would also be the trip where they learned how to play “Punch Buggy” and the kid-friendly version of the alphabet game. Lol
After returning from Virginia, I had a few more trips lined up for the summer, so my husband got to spend some time in the Optima. Next thing I knew, I got a phone call from him in my hotel that went like this:
Him: “Hey Babe…don’t be mad, but I did something today.”
Me: “Oh boy…What did you do?”
Him: “You promise you won’t be mad?” I just had to do it.”
Me: “Fine. Just tell me.”
Him: “I just bought a car. A Kia Optima. I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
For the record, I wasn’t actually thinking the worst of the situation. I was thinking he’d just gotten a tattoo and not bought a whole new vehicle, but yeah, that’s what happened… And so continued our car story.
Read: My Real Deal Review of the 2016 Kia Optima
Over the years, my relationship with Kia has grown quite a bit and I have had the chance to experience several of their newer vehicles. Honestly, it has also really encouraged my family to get out and actually create more and more stories together. The last year was probably the most memorable year for us as we road tripped like never before! From Jekyll Island to Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach to my hometown of New York City, we had an absolute blast together! Whether it’s the car they remember, or just all of the smiles and laughter, I know each of those experiences are permanently etched into their memory books.
See: 10 Weeks, 10 Thousand Miles,10 Most Memorable Road Trip Stops on Our Kia Niro Journey 
Now, whether it’s a family road trip or just our day to day conversations to and from school, it’s my goal to keep creating these moments they will never forget and helping them to build their story!
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***In memory of Jack Pearson 🙂 ***
Ari! I love this SO much! I didn’t realize that you quit your job to pursue blogging full time after we first met at SoFabCon, or that you even had a full time job to quit! I LOVE this so much, and I too have so many great memories built around cars. My kids and I drove from the panhandle to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania two winters ago. 16 hours each way. And I hope they have the very best memories from that trip, I know I sure do. There have been many more, but that one really sticks out to me because they were SO good and we had the BEST time.
16 hours each way? That’s a memorable trip for sure!
Yeah girl, I think we met just a few weeks before I quit my job. Biggest, scariest decision of my life, but I haven’t looked back since.
Ha ha. Cute story. We are a family of three and take our fair share of car trips. Recently we were driving in Europe where we have to drive on the WRONG side of the road. Its uncountable the number of times my son found it weird.
Hands down one of my favorite shows EVER. Such a great idea to document memories of different cars we have owned b/c they do totally represent different stages in my life. I am copying this idea!
I have read a lot of good reviews about the Kia Sedona. A good family car is awesome to have. When my kids were growing up, we made sure the family car had ample space for the kids. I will share your post with my cousin. He’s been looking around for a nice new family car to fit his growing family of three rambunctious girls!
What a cute story! I think it is a great way of remembering family moments together – and who knows what adventures lay ahead – so many car stories you guys can still write!
Thats a memorable story for sure, having road trips is something we as a family also love and try to create ample memories out of them. The brand new Kia Sedona looks amazing as a family car.
Kia has gone a long way in motor vehicle innovations. I love that they have cars that have the family in mind – providing safety, comfort and tech advancements that make roads trips memorable. If we are ever in the market for a new car, we’d seriously consider a Kia.
Fab story! our story is one of constant break downs and sitting at the side of the road every single holiday waiting for the recovery truck! This year we got a new car!!
I don’t watch this show, but I have lots of car stories. Hmmm, where do I begin…..
Oh yes, many stories. From childhood to now, I could tell stories that would last a week.
Some of the best memories I have involve cars. I was always getting up to something in high school with my friends, and it always involved driving around. Since my husband and I had our kids, we take a lot of road trips with the kids, too.
Your kids are too cute and great models for the car. It is great that you have found the perfect Kia for your family and for trips. It is so important to feel comfortable in your car.
What an adorable car story, we don’t have any that I can think of but maybe I can ask to see if there’s something my kid remembers. Your family is adorable and looks so happy. Thank you for sharing this!
I love when I can get everyone together for a family trip somewhere fun! The games, audiobooks and conversations in the car make for some great memories.
We love Kia vehicles here too! Actually, both my husband and I own own. I have a Soul and he has a Sorrento.
What a great story! I think it is a great way of remembering family moments together! Loved your pictures!
Thank you so much! Just putting this post together brought back great memories.
Such an awesome story!! Family trips are the best memories with kids!
That’s so awesome. It’s great to make more memories as a family and that definitely includes your car. Kia is such a great brand and I’ve loved all the changes they made to their cars especially the safety features.
I’ve never seen the show, “This Is Us,” but now it’s on my to-watch list. Sounds like you and your family had an awesome trip! Love KIA cars!
I love the Kia family caricatures! This is so cute my first 2 cars were Kia so the brand always has a special place in my heart.
I love your car story! I just don’t like being in the car too much! I wish I had a chauffeur 🙂
This is such a great post, I think we all have a car story! I so remember my first car, and how much I would take care of it!