Every parent wants to get something special for their children on their birthdays. Kevin Duke, from Flatwoods, Kentucky, was no different. On his daughter’s sweet sixteenth birthday, he wanted to get her something that would truly enrich her life and she would treasure forever. We all know that father’s usually spoil their daughter, but do you think this is the same case?
When he purchased what he thought was the perfect present, he had no idea that it contained a hidden secret that would change both of their lives and hit headlines around the world. Let’s take a look at this incredible true story of destiny that touched the hearts of millions. It’s more of a shocking revelation as to why such a scenario happened and here’s why.
Sweet Sixteen
In early 2017, Kevin Duke started thinking about his beloved daughter’s very special upcoming birthday. In a few weeks’ time, his pride and joy Jada Duke would be turning sweet sixteen. Like every parent, he wanted to gift his daughter with a truly perfect present, one that she would really appreciate and could enjoy for a long time.
He eventually settled on the perfect thing to give her on her special day but even he had no idea just how meaningful this gift would become. We all know the struggles of finding the perfect gift, gifts would usually require a lot of attention to detail since it sends a message of how much you appreciate the reciever.
Driver’s Seat
A few weeks before Jada’s sixteenth birthday, Kevin Duke finally hit on the perfect present to get her. He decided to get her her own car, so she could take advantage of finally becoming the legal driving age. Duke spent hours traveling around and researching the perfect cars for his beloved daughter, before eventually settling on a real gem a second-hand silver Ford Fusion.
Duke was delighted he had finally found the perfect gift for his little girl. But he had no idea the incredible secrets that were hidden inside this car’s doors. Buying secondhand items can either make or break you since it can be one of the best purchase you have ever made or the worst one that you may regret in the future.
Test Drive
As he was so devoted to getting his daughter the perfect present, Duke had purchased the car a few weeks ahead of his little girl’s 16th birthday. This meant he had plenty of time to tinker around with the car, give it a good thorough cleaning and fix-up, and make sure it worked perfectly.
He had spent weeks fiddling around with the car when on one routine clean-up he suddenly noticed something he hadn’t before. As he opened the glove compartment to check it once more, he saw something that grabbed his attention immediately. You always have to double check if there is something shady or something to clean before giving it as a gift.
Hidden Treasure
Duke was amazed to see that the glove compartment wasn’t quite as it had seemed all those other times he had checked on it. “I know I opened it half a dozen times before,” Duke said to CNHI. “But this time I noticed that the cover on the bottom was removable. I thought it might be dirty so I popped the cover loose.”
What Duke was about to find under this cover, would reveal secrets from the past so tragic and moving, that his and his daughter’s lives would be changed forever. Hidden treasures are always a gold mine when you least expect it, what you do with it on the other hand can change your personal perspective.
Message from the Past
After Duke had managed to remove the cover from inside the glove compartment, he saw what was hidden underneath it. It was a small, marked envelope, tucked away neatly under the plastic. What was this envelope doing there so well hidden? It was almost like it was laid there only for someone who really wanted to find it.
Duke’s eyes grew even wider when he saw what was written on the envelope: “New Car Owner: Important Info Inside”. He couldn’t believe it a hidden message, revealed only to him, and addressed to him? What secrets was this mysterious message holding? An unopened letter can only explain itself once you read the content, so all Duke had to do was open it.
Moved to Tears
Duke later admitted that he was so entranced by the surprise and the mystery of this letter, he didn’t even get out of the car before opening it up and reading it through. And as he sat in the car reading this mysterious letter, his eyes began to fill with tears. As he continued to read the secrets within, the tears continued to flow and he knew that his life was changed forever.
He simply couldn’t believe the story this miraculous letter contained. The great thing about reading the words or sentiments of someone becomes relatable when the message they try to express is the same as yours. Not to mention, it becomes timely especially when destiny comes into play and it seems like the incident was an act of faith.
Words from the Past
Duke remained sitting in the driver’s seat as he read through this astonishing letter. “I sat right there and read it,” he said to CNHI. “And bawled like a baby.” After he had dried his tears, he was finally able to digest the incredible information and moving story contained in its words. The message meant even more since it was from the past.
The letter had begun simply enough: “To the person that gets this car,” it began. “I just wanted to let you know what a special vehicle you’ve bought.” It may have meant even more from the person that sold it, it’s as if he or she had a reason behind the sale and he wanted to send a message to the person receiving the car after.
Tragic Circumstances
As the letter went on, the tragic circumstances around the car’s previous owner began to unfold. “This car belonged to my mom,” it read. “She passed away Feb 25, 2015, in a house fire along with my 6-year-old daughter and my aunt. The last time my mom drove this car was the day she left us. She and my daughter went out shopping and got their haircut.”
Duke couldn’t believe what he was reading. What stroke of destiny had led him to uncover this mystery and where would it lead him next? Who would have thought that a person was willing enough to sell the last memory they have of an important person, alongside the fact that the car itself had sentimental value.
Words from the Heart
Though Duke did not know this at the time, the heartfelt words of this letter had been written by a woman not so far away in the nearby Kentucky town of Greenup. That woman was Sabrina Archey, and she had written this letter as a final farewell to a car that had meant so much to her. It was about time to let go and move on.
Little did Duke know, that Archey had been through a great tragedy, and this car was the last link to life and love she had since lost. Of course, the decision to do so was a challenge in itself because it’s as if you are leaving a piece of yourself behind. The peace of mind you get allowing someone to know the story behind the car also changes someone’s perspective.
Tragic Loss
Sabrina Archey had been through some terrible trials in her life that had led her to sell this beloved car to a further owner. The truth was that one cold February night in 2015, Archey had been working late. Her 6-year-old daughter had been spending the night with Archey’s mother and aunt, and she knew she was in good hands.
But that night tragedy struck, and Archey’s daughter, mother, and aunt were caught in a sudden house fire. All three of them lost their lives, and Archey’s world was turned upside down. Try to recall the worst experience in your life and having something that reminds you of it everyday, would you want to let go or keep holding on?
Life After Loss
As you can imagine, Archey was utterly devastated. She had lost her mother, her aunt, and her beloved daughter, all in one sudden night of the tragedy. The Archey’s had been an incredibly close family, and Sabrina Archey worked hard every day to provide for them and give them the wonderful life they all deserved.
With the lives of her three most beloved people now ripped away from her, she had nothing but those precious memories to sustain her through her grief. But one of these memories was about to be lost as well, adding to Archey’s incredible heartbreak. If you think about it, is it really worth all the sadness and tears?
Hard Times
And it wasn’t just the emotional impact of such a great loss that Archey had to deal with. Not only did she have to rebuild her life again from scratch, grieving for the loss of her loved ones, but she also had to sort out the financial ramifications of the damage to the house, not to mention raising money for three funerals.
With the pressure on them and no longer with her family members to support her, Archey knew what she had to do she had to sell the beloved family car. The problem with loss is that you can’t really guarantee how you react or adapt to what just happened. The more you try to be strong, the weaker and at unease you surely are.
Saying Goodbye
With a heavy heart, Archey knew what she had to do. Struggling to cover the expenses of the funeral costs for her aunt, mother, and daughter, and having to find a new way of life without them, she had to think seriously about raising some significant funds. One way to do this was by selling their family car the silver Ford Fusion that had become such a huge part of their lives.
And so, after saying goodbye to her loved ones for the final time, Archey now had to be prepared to say goodbye to this car that held so many memories of them all. She can keep holding on to the car and be reminded of what she lost, or let go and start a new life without it, either way it still becomes a heartwrenching experience.
Footprints in Time
It was when Archey was preparing the car to be viewed by potential buyers, that she was suddenly struck with an emotional and meaningful sight. Having had the car for many years, it had been through its fair share of bumps and scrapes, and for Archey, each blemish on the car held a unique and precious memory.
Just as she was preparing to say goodbye to the car one final time, Archey spotted the remnants of a footprint on the dashboard. Overcome with this sight and the memories it held, she decided to write her letter to the new owner. She felt that it would be easier for her to let go of the car while also telling or sharing her story.
Words of Love
Archey’s letter was a beautiful tribute to the car that she had shared with her beloved family, and the happy memories that they had shared within it, that she would treasure forever. In an emotional farewell to the car itself, this incredibly moving letter also became a tribute to her loved ones and the beautiful lives they had lived together, and the memories they had made.
Rather than a note of regret, Archey’s beautiful letter talked of life and love, and a legacy she wanted to pass down to the new owner. She knows how much the car has been a life-changing experience for her and allowing someone to take advantage of what she has experienced can help her move forward.
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