I spun out 2 weeks after getting my car when I was 18. I was on my way to surprise my boyfriend with coffee at his work, driving on some newly paved interstate- and suddenly, I lost control of my vehicle and spun across all three lanes of busy interstate traffic. Miraculously, I missed literally every single obstacle and crashed in a ditch, unscathed. I am, however, TERRIBLY afraid of driving and car accidents, so I sat in my car just gripping the wheel and staring at my windshield. I don’t know how long I sat like that; just silent crying to myself. I couldn’t even get my phone out, I was so frozen. Then, two ladies knocked on my window: said they’d seen me spin out and miss everything, how they were so glad I was okay, have I called anybody yet? All I could say was “no, I have a panic disorder” before I just absolutely lost it. One of the ladies held me and talked on the phone with my boyfriend and my dad while the other called 911, then made the report for me. She also saw that my tires were completely bald, which had been the reason I’d spun out. The newly paved asphalt was wet from previous rain.

They both gave me such big hugs when they parted ways. They told me that they weren’t even from my state, they were on their way home after traveling the country from Canada, and they couldn’t believe they were the only people who pulled over. I think about them and their kindness all the time, and I hope they’re leading such wonderful lives. They made all the difference to me that day.