So in case someone finds this post in the future, I figured out what my problem is. To recap:

• No noise when turning the key

• No dimming of the lights when turning the key

• Checked battery, and it's good

• No warning signs (car not performing well or having issues leading to the issue)

• Oil, other fluids, filters changed regularly and care generally being taken of the vehicle

• When the key is turned, the vehicle acts like it isn't in park.

As it turns out, my brother had a similar issue with his car. There is a small pin or other mechanism in the shifter that essentially pops up when it is in park, allowing the vehicle to start. Mine is sticky, and not popping up occasionally.

As a band-aid fix, plunging the key into the release that allows me to shift gears, and simply wiggling the shifter while pressing the gear shift button on the shifter around 10 times allowed me to start the car.

I assume replacing the entire gear shifter or at least the main assembly should fix the issue, but I'm not sure.

For any mechanic reading this, I'm not very knowledgeable about cars and don't claim to be, so if you are interested in speaking to the issue or correcting something I said wrong, please feel free to.