The beautiful and strange: An hour after Cars & Coffee begins, a line of McLaren sports cars show off their elegance. [/caption]

If I were to tell you everything that’s happened in the past three months, you’d wonder how I’m still functioning. The details are boring, honestly. The most important thing is the result after the challenges of the past 13 weeks.

I was in the midst of a breakdown after experiencing the worst heart palpitations and my very first panic attack. Throw in a couple of deaths on top of everything else, and I knew it was time for change. I just didn’t know what or how.

Concerned friends invited me to join them at Lafayette’s Cars & Coffee, hosted by Adam Polishes. The car show is considered one of the biggest events in the nation. After witnessing the number of people who showed up, that statement gets no argument from me.

Despite my misery, I convinced myself that attending was a good idea. If nothing else, I’d have another “Discover Colorado” story in the books. I learned later that it was more than a good idea.

During a gloomy Saturday in May, I drove to Lafayette. I parked far away from the auto show, intending to leave before the crowds got too hectic. I waited for the drizzle to end, grabbed my cameras, and jumped out of my truck to embark on the unknown.

A row of parking spots is reserved for electric cars during Lafayetter’s Cars & Coffee show.[/caption]

As I walked up and down the parking lot, marveling at the various vehicles from classic to modern, a sense of self-reflection naturally occurred. I stopped to admire a 1920 Ford Model T and started comparing its parts to my life.

I considered the miles it had traveled and how often it needed its oil replaced. I thought about how the vintage car would feel if it had emotions: It must be tired. It’s spent so many years and hundreds and thousands of miles being driven, cleaned, and broken down just to have its parts replaced.

I envied it. I wanted some of my parts replaced, certainly my brain and heart.

I continued strolling when I set my sights on one of the sexiest cars I’d ever seen in person. Though I’m not a fan of supercars, I drooled over a silver McLaren 765LT, built with carbon fiber body panels, a titanium exhaust system, and lightweight dual-spring suspension.

I thought to myself, “I need one.” Then I chuckled, because I’m a truck girl more than anything. I think the idea of the McLaren’s power became appealing to me. I was craving change and I was craving it fast.

Facing a row of McLarens, I knew I needed new shiny parts. So, the entire way home, I began devising a plan to change my luck and started by changing my narrative.

Today, I realize if it were not for the terrible things of the past 91 days and stepping away from my problems for a couple of hours, I’d still be stuck living a life that didn’t suit me.

Cars & Coffee takes place on the first Saturday of every month during summer, at the Flatirons Church, 355 W South Boulder Road, Lafayette. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adamspolishes or call them at 866-965-0400.