I make inexplicable choices. Because I am me. That pretty much sums it up. One of my favorite examples of this landed me bleeding on a first date.

Let me back up. One of my really good friends, who I also had a crush on, invited me to his work Christmas party. I was pretty pumped about this because not only did I get to spend a night with a great guy, but I also got to dress up. Always a bonus.

The night came and I headed to meet him at his house. Just one problem…my only option in his neighborhood was to parallel park…

…

Can’t be done. I literally can’t do it. Zero spatial awareness happening here. So after I drove around searching for a spot I could just pull into, I gave up and called him to come out and help. This is where I went wrong. Any normal, rational human being would have said “There isn’t much parking around, why don’t I just drive?” or “Let me get out and you can park my car”.

No. That would have made WAY too much sense. I decided to try to be slick and just scooch my way from the drivers seat to the passengers seat so that he could get in. Not only was this a poor choice because of what happens next, but because there is no way to get yourself from the drivers side to the passengers side of a car in any sort of ladylike fashion. Ladies…don’t try this. Particularly on a date. In a dress.

That being said, also don’t have your ice scraper sticking straight up in your cup holder while you’re doing it. You might just accidentally slip, drop all your weight on it and gash open your…um…upper thigh area.

That’s right. Now I’m bleeding. Cool. Now what…

Well, I stuffed down the pain, hoped my panty hose would clot the blood (seemed rational), he parked my car, we got in his, and went on our way.

We’re driving…I’m smiling…AKA gritting my teeth from the throbbing pain, and finally I break down and have to tell him what’s happened. Not an ideal start to the date.

We get to the venue and I need to know what I’m dealing with. So, I ask him to look. Now this part in particular would have made my parents proud because I know their dream for me is to find a nice young man, park in a dark parking garage with him, ask him to make sure we are alone, and hike my dress up.

You’re welcome mom and dad.

Thankfully, my panty hose had actually done what I had hoped and clotted the blood, and after my date uttered the words “one second, let me get my flashlight”, he confirmed I seemed to be ok. We went about our night and had a great time, and I only had to sit with caution for about a week thereafter…

So, just remember that if you cause a stupidity inflicted wound on a first date, you’re not alone. Keep your head held high, and be proud of everything you do.

“Be Proud of Everything You Do” is a place for me to share some of my most embarrassing, irrational, and awkward moments with you. I hope we can all learn that its ok to laugh at ourselves, walk away with confidence, and like my dad says, be proud of everything you do.