My Junior year of college, my grandpa died which was unexpected and absolutely devastating for our entire family. I was the only one that didn't make it to his bedside during his last hours because I was on a plane somewhere between LA and Ft. Smith trying to get there as fast as possible...to no avail.
It happened in the fall, around fall break...which was also pretty close to Thanksgiving, which then was only a few weeks shy of Christmas break. My amazing professors told me to just stay home until finals which was amazing.
I remember spending lots of time with my sister Amy, which though sad, was some great time together.
I had also just broken up with a boy during that time (which was not sad but glorious). Couple this with my spontaneous personality and days on end with my sister and not much to do, and you find yourself (at your sister's pushing) filling out an online "Bachelor" application to be the next piece of meat amongst other desperate girls.
Yup. No big deal.
Well, then the tables turned when I was back at Biola for Spring semester and I start getting calls from the producers of the show. I thought it was funny at first, but after a series of long conversations with them, they wanted me to come to the ABC studios and meet with about 10 of them. Yes I was intrigued with the whole "TV thing" (I was 21) and so of course I jumped at the chance since I only lived an hour away.
I got all dolled up (in a white shirt - this will be important later), and felt big-time getting my ABC pass and all to go meet these producers.
Half-way into our meeting, I realized their lingo was more talking to me like I was already chosen as a contestant. They were telling me how I was going to be the youngest of the other ladies they had chosen and so forth. I was also VERY open with them about my stance in my faith as Believer which was neat to share. At the end, they said they would be calling me with "official news" on the final contestants and whatnot in the next week.
I left in disbelief thinking "Holy crap I'm gonna be on this show."
NOW....on the flip side of this story, my father was an absolute wreck and DID NOT want me going on this show. At first I didn't pay much attention because I never thought it would come to that, but as the calls kept coming, his stance became stronger. Looking back, I think it was a much bigger deal with him than I ever thought (but seriously, could you blame him?? That show is trash!). He obviously had more sense and wisdom than me. :)
But here's where his prayers step in...he had already told me he wanted to get me a car when I graduated from college...which I was SO excited about since I had never had a new car before. When this Bachelor talk came into play, he even slightly maybe mentioned doing it a year early if I didn't go on that show...yes, sorta like a bribe. (I always thought this was hilarious).
So here's where the story picks back up at ABC studios. I'm feeling excited about the interview went, get in my car to leave...probably make some calls to my sister...but also knowing I have some persuading to do of my dad...
And people, NO JOKE, pulling out of ABC studios...producers could probably see me through their windows still - I ran a red light and had a wreck! I completely totalled my car, air bags deployed, smashed my face in...blood and the whole bit. My eye was swollen shut, my lip completely busted, I had burns (from airbag) all the way down my face...blood on my (white) shirt...not pretty at all.
When the EMT's got there, I thought I was perfectly fine, though. The other guy barely even hurt his car from where I hit him. People rushed over to me and I kept trying to convince everyone I was fine, then I looked in the mirror finally and realized why they were concerned...because I looked so terrible! But I was fine.
In fact, they towed my car and left me on the side of the curb for my roommate to come get me. This took 2 hours. So there I was...by myself, blood all over my white shirt...looking like a man had just beat the crap out of me! I had some Hispanic workers come approach me (at first I was nervous) but then realized they were just super concerned and wanted to make sure I hadn't just gotten attacked. They watched out for me the rest of the time until my roommate got there.
So anyway...now I had an unofficial offer to be on this show, a face that wasn't recognizable anymore, a counter-offer from my dad, and no car.
I know he never prayed I would have a wreck, but it's funny how things work out. Because when the producer did officially call the next week, I told him "No" and took the car. :) (though I wasn't that much of a brat to persuade him on this one...I began to share his convictions about going on the show and didn't want to disappoint him).
(It also made it easier when the producer told me they had set Bob as the Bachelor).
Dad came out to California 2 weeks later for a conference and he really did end up getting me a car (more, though because I didn't have one anymore).
And fast forward to now when my husband (who absolutely abhors that show) tells me he's not sure he ever would have been attracted to me if I had gone on that show...ha. Knowing him, he probably would not have. So good thing!
There's my Bachelor/car wreck story.
