Have you ever had a moment in your life that made your world spin? Your stomach dropped, your knees started to buckle, and you could feel the air leaving your lungs, but you couldn't replace it? I have had that moment.. Multiple times, actually. It is always in response to the sentence "Where do you want to eat?"
That sentence has haunted me for years. I could never build up the courage to finally conquer my fear of ACTUALLY stating what restaurant sounded good. There is so much pressure in those 6 words. If it's your boyfriend asking then you are risking your whole relationship but actually saying your restaurant preference out loud. If it's your parents asking then you know there's a chance you will let them down if you pick the wrong restaurant. When your friend asks, it could be the determining moment on whether that person will forever remain a 'true homie'. Your future depends on your answer. The make it or break it. More important than graduation, marriage, and starting a family. That loaded question is the reason I have realized I can handle absolutely anything life throws my way.
I remember it was 7 pm on a foggy Thursday night. My friend was behind the wheel and we were coming home from seeing a movie. The music was set at the perfect volume, the cars weren't able to be heard and we both were there in that moment. Nothing could touch us. In a matter of seconds, my friend had turned down the volume of the music and the words "Where do you want to eat?" escaped her mouth. I could feel the air thicken and my throat get tighter. I knew my fear was right there in front of me once again but I had no one else to pin the decision on. I thought about opening the car door and just jumping out because I could not take this pressure. I opened my mouth to say 'I don't know. What sounds good to you?' when the words 'Red Robin' came out instead. My eyes got big and without realizing it... I had made the biggest mistake ever. I let my actual craving dictate what I wanted for dinner. I knew I was going to lose my friend in that moment but right when I felt the tears form in my eyes, my friend said 'okay' and turned into Red Robin.
No one thinks they can take on the world like I did that night. No one thinks they can be strong enough to answer a question like that. It is just so much easier to say 'I dont know, you pick' then turn down every thing they offer, but in that moment I didn't choose the easy way out. I stood strong, used my voice, and weathered the storm. I realized that if I could state a restaurant I wanted to eat at, then I could do anything I set my mind to. I could handle lifes' worst moments. I had done it in that moment, so I could do it again. It is crazy the lessons you learn when you face your fear.
That is the time that I picked where I wanted to eat and it taught me how I can handle anything. I am a stronger, better person because of my decision to eat at Red Robin that night.
