My driver's license: Hulk Smash

I got my driver's license when I was 21 years old. I know it may seem late in societies standards, but I was incredibly anxious as a teenager. For some context when I was pretty young my nana would take me out in her dark blue Crown Victoria and let me steer that car while she controlled the gas. I always had the best time and was quite good if I do say so myself.

So, when I was 16 years old, I decided to go for it. And this went pretty well until I pulled out of the driveway, gunned the gas, ran up on my neighbor's curb, and almost completely demolished her mailbox. Then a little further in our journey, a red truck pulled out behind me, I freaked out, let go of the steering wheel while my foot was firmly planted on the gas pedal. My mom had to snap me back to reality and take hold of the wheel.

Needless to say, I didn't really start driving again until I was 20. This turned into another ordeal when I said I wanted to get behind the wheel in a park. I quickly realized it was a bad idea. Once I got behind the wheel, I had a full-blown panic attack and started to cry. Not a good look... not a good look at all.

Now onto the actual process of getting my license. I knew my ID was expiring soon, I fully committed to the reading material. I scheduled my written test, went for it and I passed on the first try. WOOHOO!! Next, I did laps around where the driver's test would be taken. (I wanted to be extra prepared.) I followed this routine until my test date came around. And hoped for the best when my test day came around.

Test day is here, and I am incredibly nervous. They check you in, then you wait in your car for your instructor to arrive. Once they do, you're asked to put on your blinkers, check your brakes and headlights, and point (just point) to your emergency brake and accelerator. I was so frazzled that when my instructor asked me to point to my accelerator, I looked to my right, to my left, said accelerator a few times, then simply said, "I'm not sure I have one." (Head slap) She said, "Your gas." "Oh, I do have that. Sorry I'm nervous." I'm honestly surprised she got in the car with me.

Onto the driving portion. Driving down the access road, all her papers almost slid off her lap onto the floor because of my acceleration. Then at the end as I pulled into the spot, I hit the curb so hard that the underside of my car made a horrible crunching sound and my instructor chuckled. I was mortified. Thankfully there were so many people in the parking lot, who just heard me go all Hulk Smash on the underside of my car. I had to walk right past them. Great...

The worst part is they don't tell you whether you passed or not until you are back where you checked in. Luckily, I passed!! My mom said I came back faster than other people testing. She even got emotional as I was leaving the parking lot even though I was an adult. It's pretty funny, I felt like David in that episode of Schitt's Creek. The one where he's concerned about renewing his driver's license and Alexis basically says that no one cares, he's putting too much stock into it. I am 100% a David.

I love driving. I'm so happy I conquered my fear. Now go conquer yours! (Within reason:)) Until next time...Bye!