Lucky 32

September 11 is our wedding anniversary. This year was our 12th, so on our 2nd anniversary was the fateful 9/11. Since then, our anniversary has been somewhat difficult to celebrate and consequently, we rarely celebrate it on the day. This year was no different, but since I'd been in the hospital the day before we were supposed to go out and celebrate, we moved the date to this past Monday. We were very excited to be going to one of "only special occasion" restaurants, The Angus Barn, in Raleigh. We were enjoying our conversation, reflecting on God's providences in recent years, and going about 80 mph (with the flow of traffic) on a very busy highway. All of sudden, the car lost all power. It basically shut off. The dash remained lit, and thankfully, the brakes still worked, but it was off. Kevin slowed us down and steered us onto a shoulder. I immediately called AAA and in the background Kevin kept saying, "We have to get out, we have to get out and walk to somewhere safer. We're going to get hit!" So, as daylight rapidly faded, we started walking along I-40 to get to an area that was more expansive so we weren't in the direct line of someone reading to answer their cellphone and swerving into us. It was quite, quite terrifying! We got over the guardrail and walked in this 2 ft. wide strip of grass, holding onto a cattle fence. Long story short, a tow truck came and picked up the car, we flagged him down and he picked us up as well. Then he did 80 mph down the other side of I-40! That was pretty terrifying as well. He dropped off our car at a mechanic and Kevin asked him to drop us off at Lucky 32 (a nearby restaurant). I suggested we just get a shake at Chick-Fil-A right next door. Kevin was still going to celebrate ;0)

We had our dinner (I brought it home--I was a little jittery) and asked for a cab to get home. Thirty minutes later a cab came. That sweet man could only see half of his speedometer as only half of the dash lights worked in his cab. He drove us at least 60 mph down local roads. I had on no seatbelt and was just envisioning the headlines from many different angles. Anyway, I was never so relieved in my whole life to get into our own house! And thankful for a wonderful date night swap-sitter who puts up with all my kids' "idiosyncrasies"!

In the morning Philip said, "Well Mom, at least you got two treats on your birthday: you got to ride in a tow truck and a taxi!" Silver linings, I guess ;0)

The car can be repaired...at a price. A serious price (think a few house payments). And our dryer quit today! But, praise God, He will provide ;0) And He has reminded us of His everlasting love by keeping us safe along busy roads, and on quiet ones too!