February 11, 2025: The Unforgettable Trip

Late one winter night in high school, I had to drive home from a friend’s house.

However, there was a problem: snow and ice. But how bad could it be? Just a few flurries, right?

My little Honda didn’t have much weight, and sure, there was the risk of hydroplaning. If you were an amateur. But at 17? I’d been driving for a whole year. Basically a pro.

My friend’s dad insisted on following me in his pickup. I didn’t think it was necessary, but fine. Off we went.

For the first ten minutes, everything was smooth, as expected. But then…

I hit a patch of ice. And the ‘ol Accord decided to put on a figure skating routine — a slip-sliding, stomach-lurching, 180-degree pirouette.

It all unfolded in slow motion. Total helplessness. Was I heading for a ditch? A tree? An upside-down disaster?

I braced for impact.

When I finally stopped spinning, I was staring into the truck’s headlights from the wrong lane. I caught my breath, gave an embarrassed wave, and drove back to my friend’s house to spend the night.

Lesson learned. Ever since, I’ve given bad weather the respect it deserves. I’m definitely built for warm climates.

Today, the office closed early thanks to ice-covered roads. Walking to my car, guess what popped into my head?

Yep. That fateful evening, many moons ago. When young Brian took an unexpected spin. Some things stick with you.

So I drove nice and slow on the way home. Call me grandpa, but I’ll leave the joyride stunts to someone else.

I’ve already had my thrill ride.

Anyway, how many days ‘til summer?