....I purchased my very first firearm (eighteenth bday). Shortly after, I graduated high school and adulthood began to take affect. I applied for the railroad and had an interview in Gillette Wyoming. Being a broke high school graduate, and having parents who believed everything is earned, I had to make a sacrifice. That sacrifice came in the form of selling my Marlin 336 to my father for $300, so I could afford the gas and lodging for my interview. I didn't get the job, and life continued, me asking dad ever so often to sell me back my rifle, to no avail. Well tonight we finally got to get together for Christmas/my birthday (they live 3 hours away), low and behold my dad gave me back my rifle, as my Christmas gift. Best Christmas gift ever, and to make it even better, I've got my first child on the way, so I'll be able to pass this on to him! Just quite excited, and thought it was a cool story, thanks for listening!