Parking and Making Out; The Beginnings of Kiss and Tell

One of the most exciting adventures of my high school days was my first experience with that of parking. For some couples, the experience just happens. Yet for others, it is well planned out. This article reflects on romantic parking and making out.

Parking had many challenges for young individuals. First, you had to have access to a car. Sometimes, this meant doubling up with another couple. This could be a bad or good experience. In most cases, the other couple could care less about you. If you went with another couple, it also meant the back seat was usually yours. Personal romantic tales have been made with back seat experiences.

Another challenge was that of who sits in the drivers seat. A male ego could easily be deflated, if his female friend had a license to drive because she was older. Some boys would refuse to go parking until they got their license to drive.

The type of vehicle was also important. Young couples hate bucket seats. The owner of the vehicle could easily move the couple from the back seat to the front. This also meant that cars with bucket seats could only accommodate one couple. Sports cars were classy but, had their drawbacks.

A very important item to carry in your car was the football blanket. The blanket served several purposes . However, the most important purpose was that of privacy. You could drape it over the front bucket seats or simply cover up with it. Everyone understood what the old phrase, "I am cold" really meant.

Finding a safe location was another challenge. There were places like lovers lane, lovers leap, virgin point, the levee, the lake and lookout point. Romantic places are very important. A couple liked having their special place. Avoiding crowds of cars was a must. Some couples just wanted to be alone.

Of course, each place had a folklore legend behind it. Lovers leap had the tale of broken hearts leaping to their death. Lovers lane had the tale of a lost lover searching for his lost love. These tales were made up to add to the excitement of the parking experience.

Parking meant making out. After all, why else would you go parking? Oh yea, there was the excuse of "we're just talking." Making out was the defining mark of the parking experience. Everything had to be just right, to make the experience a success. This meant using the best cologne, perfume, breath mints and mouth wash. Too much or too less could ruin the experience.

Monday morning, back at school, it was kiss and tell time. Regardless of how the experience went, it would always be related to others. I better stay away from the word always. Some couples kept the experience private. Usually, it was the first timers that related their experience.

Personal Note; Even though I am happily married for 37 years and have three grandchildren, my wife and I still have our special place for parking. We still enjoy steaming up the windows. I guess somethings never grow old.