Life is full of ‘firsts’. Your first word, first step, first kiss, first time you have sex, first time you drive a car. I have now added, the first time an air bag smashes you in the face.

It was 1:30 in the afternoon and my co-workers and I had just finished a fantastic holiday lunch full of laughter and great food. I called Dirk for no reason at all – then told him I was about to start driving so he told me no talking on the phone. I hung up and turned out of the parking lot and onto the main road – two minutes later I was back on the phone telling Dirk I was just in a head on crash. He could not really hear me since my horn was blaring as I was still sitting in the car. Which now that I think back, I really don’t know why? When an air bag deploys the car fills with what looks like baby powder – so after the crash you really feel like you are in a dream. Maybe that is why I was in a fog.

I got out of the car and people were running over and I was, well, confused as to what just happened.  I called 9-1-1 and let them know I was in a head on crash, she then corrected me, I actually ‘t-boned’ a car. Help came in the form of a police officer on a petal bike (really the guy on the bike got there first) – followed by an ambulance – two fire trucks – and another police car.

The girl that I hit had to crawl out of the passenger door as I smashed into the drivers side. She was crying, so I gave her a hug and told her it would be fine. All she could say was that she was so sorry. She was just coming from making a donation at the Salvation Army and could not see me coming (no shit) due to a truck turning. She pulled out and BOOM. That is how I met Chelsa.