"My theory is about moments, moments of impact. My theory is that these moments of impact, these flashes of high intensity that completely turn our lives upside down actually end up defining who we are." -The Vow

Do you agree? Do you know that it takes one second? That is all it takes. If it takes changing your shirt three times to make you late for your bus, let it. If it takes getting a blister on your heal from your new shoes, forcing you to stop to put on a band-aid, let it. If it takes spilling your drink on your white top forcing you to change, let it. What we don't know or what we don't seem to grasp, is that in these moments, we are exactly where we need to be. I know it's hard to imagine that it is as simple as that- because there are bad days when we feel that the world is out to get us, and days where we wake up knowing it's just going to be a day, but embrace these days. They will eventually make you appreciate the good ones.

All it takes is one second to lose it all, one second to make the wrong choice, to not say something that needs to be said, and one second to regret not saying it. One second you're there, and the next, you're almost gone. I didn't know what I had until I almost lost someone and that all goes to show that all it takes is one second- one moment of impact to truly change someone's life forever.

It's a feeling I can only describe to you, one that you cannot relate to, and one I'd never wish anyone to feel. It was a Friday night when I got a call that shook me harder than I had ever been before. It was a call with news that took the strength from my knees causing them to buckle, muted the sound from my cry, and caused my chest to cave in. I was desperately trying to get some air to fill my lungs again. This was the night I found out my best friend had been in a car accident. Without a second thought, I was there for him, and by his side, praying for my friend with teary eyes, and an extremely heavy heart. It was in that moment that my life was changed forever. It took sitting in that emergency room for it to dawn on me that he was someone I couldn't imagine living my life without, and it was also then that I realized that I never got the chance to tell him that.

All it took was one second for him to be almost gone.Who knew his night would be concluded with shards of glass surrounding two cars, one flipped upside down, and one engulfed in a snow bank? Who knew he'd be put in a helicopter, checked into an intensive care unit? Who knew it would be him? Why him? How did this happen?

These things don't happen to the people we know. They just happen in the stories on the news or in movies. "No mom, I don't need to wear a seat belt." "Stop worrying about me, I'll be fine." "Dad, I don't need to slow down." What was the last thing you said to the people you love before you left your house? Did you tell them you love them? Did you mean it? Or did you grab the money they offered you for gas and run out the door? This may be harsh but in reality, this will happen to you or someone you know. It's horrible to contemplate. No one deserves this, but all it takes is one second.

In the time that there was so much uncertainty, and I was left to scrutinize every last memory of us, I couldn't help but wish I had said more "I love yous," gotten mad a little less, made a little more time for us, and spent much more time laughing together. They may have walked away from the accident scarred from their injuries, confused as to what actually happened, but feeling lucky to be alive; but I for one have been changed as a result.

We underestimate the seriousness of the decisions we make in just a few moments. In those short seconds, we can make a choice, a decision, or even a mistake that could end up turning our lives upside down. We tend to be naive to the fact that anything can happen. Sometimes I feel I live in a world with people who think they're invincible. We sometimes fall victim to not realizing we're not, and why should we? No one knows what it's like to almost lose it all, until they've gone through it themselves.

So I ask you, because there are so many people out there who love, and care so deeply about you. That you think about what you're doing before you do it. That you choose to do the right thing. That you have a kind enough heart that if your decisions are foggy, that you don't bring someone else down with you. I hope you keep the people you love safe, and that you take care of yourself in those seconds- because one second you're there, but the next you could be almost gone.