From Asphalt to Sand
Years ago, when I was working as an auditor in Arizona, I got my first van. I had never driven before and had always been dependent on others to give me rides. Once I had a vehicle, it was freeing, and a lot easier for me to ask girls out. Instead of saying, “What time are you going to pick me up?” I could say, “I’ll pick you up at 7!”
One day, I met this girl at work, and we started dating. She had grown up in Minnesota and had never seen the ocean. So, we planned a trip to San Diego. I was on cloud nine. Not only was I going on my first road trip as a driver, but I had a girlfriend coming along, and she would get to see the beach for the first time thanks to me. Everything was great!
When we got to the ocean in San Diego, we got out of the car, went to the edge of the parking lot, and I said, “There’s the beach! Isn’t it amazing?” After a few minutes, she asked if I minded if she went down to the water and walked along the beach. Of course, with my wheelchair, I couldn’t go with her. She went to walk on the beach for the first time, and I was up in the parking lot watching. I missed out on that moment, and I can’t ever get it back.
