All I wanted to do on a Monday afternoon after work was go home. Maybe take a nap. Prep myself to go to my friend’s soccer league semi-final. What I didn’t plan on was hearing a big KA-KLUNK on the freeway, and then watching my tire pressure drop from 36 to 20, to 10, to 5 and finally….2 psi. Rolling with the punches, my day quickly detoured into a moment of help by a handsome (and married) angel, a message from the Universe, and a $1080 tire purchase.
I was right next to the HOV lane, minding my business when it happened. I just had to laugh. I thought about how stuff like this always seems to happen to my brother and he just deals with it. Calm, collected, and with a little humor. I knew I just needed to get off the freeway. Watching the tire pressure drastically fall, I only made it as far as an off-ramp shoulder. I don’t panic or cry or freak out in situations like this. I recently joked with an incredible group of people I met while river rafting the Colorado River for a week, that I have reached peak zen. And this was my perfect example. I thought to myself, “Alright lets Youtube how to change a tire.” I knew I had a full spare in the back, jack and all, so I just had to figure it out.
Hazards on, making sure not to get smashed by cars going 50 mph, I hopped out and took out my supplies. I called my mom just to laugh and say, “of course.” She suggested calling AAA, but I didn’t want to wait and how hard could it actually be to change a tire?
While watching a how-to video, this wonderful man stopped and helped me. He said he saw me and turned around to help. I thought this might be my meet-cute moment. He was about my age, beautiful blue eyes and brown hair, with a smile that said “everything’s going to be fine.” And suddenly I was learning how to change a tire with someone who looked like he walked out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. After a few minutes of chatting, I noticed the wedding ring and had to giggle because of course. This wasn’t that kind of story.
He told me he actually left work an hour early because he had a leaky tire and was going to Discount Tire anyway, literally 2 minutes down the road. I joked about seeing him there after we finally put the spare on. While he was helping me jack up my car, I noticed his bracelet: “John 16:33.” I don’t know if any of you are religious or spiritual, but I grew up Catholic, and while I don’t agree with everything the Church says, I still feel divinely connected and guided. I asked him what it meant and had to giggle to myself when he told me. Because, again, of course.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Backstory: I recently deeply connected with someone on my river trip who made me feel finally seen. Essentially, the male version of me. It was so easy, fun, and simple. He just got it. We started talking as friends, but sometimes felt like it could blossom into something more. And then he told me he had a girlfriend.
I had to step back because continuing a friendship knowing what could have been would not be fair to anyone involved. I didn’t want to stop talking to him, but knew I had to. So the last few days have been filled with a lot of “damn“. I tried being flirty and fun over the weekend, even met someone at a wellness event, only to follow their lead and get left on read. Classic.
And then this. A beautiful angel sent to me in my hour of need, only to find out I can’t have him either. You just have to laugh and roll with the punches. And John 16:33? Might as well be the blueprint to my life. During the whole fiasco I told my friend, “Remember, who cares! Life will life, so we must make it fun! Laugh in the troubles and cry when it matters!”
I ended up making it to Discount Tire, saw my guardian angel for the day and said goodbye as his wife picked him up, and waited for my car to be fixed. I thought, “Okay, one tire. That’s fine. I’ll eat the cost.” And being totally vulnerable, I am not the most financially stable right now, but I have a feeling I’ll be up soon and good things are coming, so hooray credit cards! The man checked my other tires and gently suggested I replace all of them. He wasn’t upselling me. I was warned last time they were in the yellow zone, and I said I’d deal with it when it got bad. Hello, bad!
Thankfully it’s Fourth of July week and there were deals. But once he told me the price for the high quality ones with certificates, I had to giggle once again. I told him, “Let me just make sure my credit card has enough left on it.” Then I casually saw I had just enough, sighed, and tapped away.
I always tell my friends: money comes and goes. And lately I have been on the journey of trusting that everything will work out if you lead with light and love. Maybe I’m too honest, too real which sometimes bites me in the end, but I see it as divine protection. If I couldn’t get something by being truthful and myself, would it really serve me in the end?
I’ve since been thinking of that man’s bracelet, the quote, the constant delays in my life. I surrender and take them as they come. I have no other option but to say, “okay” and figure it all out later. I told my friends my next Instagram caption will be:
“I be of good cheer n shiii”
……because how funny is that.
This whole experience is just another reminder that life is life, and it’s how we deal with the trials and tribulations that shape us. Will we allow anguish and sorrow to swallow us? Or will we surrender to the Universe and giggle where we can?
Don’t get me wrong, I still cry. I still get sad, I’m human, after all.
But deep down, I know everything will be okay.
Because it will be okay.
So be of good cheer, and remember: it will always work out.