We all know people who love thunderstorms and rainstorms. We all know people who find the sounds of these natural occurrences soothing, helping them go to sleep at night. We all know people who love running around in the rain. We all know people who find the clap of thunder exhilarating them. Every time my friends tell me how wonderful it all is, I nod without comment. I don't like thunderstorms.

As a thunderstorm rolls in, I feel anxiety creep through me. I don't know what it is about the lightning and thunder that stresses me out so greatly. Rain is one thing, but thunder...that's another. The worst part is trying to explain myself to people who love thunderstorms. It's the worst because I don't have an explanation myself. I've never really enjoyed the sounds or the chaos. And don't get me started on driving in the rain.

I remember the first time I drove on the highway. It was, what seemed like, an overcast day. My dad decided, as we were passing Wegmans, that I would veer to the right and take the exit onto the highway. Of course, being the nervous person I am, I had a small internal panic attack as we drove onto it. Luckily, the traffic was nonexistent and we got off an exit that would lead to Erie Boulevard (a long stretch of stores near my town).

As soon as we got off onto Erie Boulevard, it started to rain a little. I didn't think too much of it because it wasn't that bad...until it started pouring. Suddenly the highest level for the windshield wipers was not enough and I was going about twenty in a forty mile per hour zone. Due to my visible stress, that I thought I was hiding so well, my dad made me pull over at the nearest gas station and wait out the rain.

I stared at the droplets and listened to the thunder crack for about thirty minutes before it came to an end. I really don't like thunderstorms. The whole time I was sitting there, I was wishing I was home. But even at home, I don't get the peace of mind I wish I would. If there's a thunderstorm occurring while I'm trying to sleep, I'm tossing and turning, and every bang of thunder is making me tense.

I also would like to mention I debated writing this. I don't know many people who feel the same way as I do, but I hope that maybe someone reading this (who loves thunderstorms) might think of something they don't like that most people do. As differentiating as it is, it's also a good feeling--to recognize things that make you different from the general population. I don't know if you could call that a quirk, but something close.

And if you don't like thunderstorms? I'm glad to know I'm not the only one anymore.