Turning 14 was an exciting milestone for me, not because it symbolized freedom or escapades, but because I could finally enroll in Driver’s Ed. My love for driving began long before I was legally allowed behind the wheel. It all started with a memorable experience in my grandpa’s pickup truck, where I got my first taste of what it was like to take control of a vehicle. Little did I know that my journey through Driver’s Ed would be filled with unexpected surprises, including one unforgettable mishap.

Behind one of the local high schools, there was a driver’s course equipped with a tower and a microphone. The setup allowed the instructor to watch and guide us as we navigated through various driving scenarios. It was an exhilarating experience to be entrusted with a car and have the chance to demonstrate my driving skills. However, there was one fateful day that would forever be etched in my memory.

My driving partner and I were eagerly waiting for our turn in the VW Rabbit, a car equipped with a standard transmission. The anticipation was building as we prepared ourselves to handle the challenges of driving a manual vehicle. My partner took the wheel first, but to our dismay, the stick shift refused to go into gear. Confused, we tried every possible technique to engage reverse, but the shifter seemed stubbornly immovable.

With our hopes dwindling, the instructor decided to intervene. He sat behind the wheel, attempting to resolve the gear-shifting predicament. That’s when one of the onlookers noticed something peculiar under the car. Pointing in disbelief, he exclaimed, “What is that?” To our sheer embarrassment, it turned out that we had unwittingly pushed the gear shifter right through the floor of the car! Our jaws dropped, and we couldn’t believe what we had done.

Needless to say, our mishap quickly became the talk of Driver’s Ed. For years afterward, I found myself at the center of amusing anecdotes and conversations among students. Even long after completing the course, I would encounter new students asking if I was the one responsible for pushing the gear shifter through the floor of the infamous Rabbit. Sheepishly, I admitted my involvement, forever linked to that comical incident.

Despite the embarrassing ordeal, I managed to persevere and successfully complete Driver’s Ed. I obtained my driver’s license and was finally ready to hit the road independently. Running errands for my parents became an exciting excuse to indulge in my love for driving. Throughout my life, I have racked up countless miles behind the wheel, fortunate enough to have never been involved in an accident.

That day in Driver’s Ed, when my driving partner and I inadvertently pushed the gear shifter through the floor of the VW Rabbit, was a moment of both humiliation and hilarity. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of embarrassing mishaps, it’s important to keep going and maintain a sense of humor. Despite the unforgettable incident, my passion for driving remains unwavering. I cherish every second spent on the road, appreciating the joy and freedom that driving brings.