This one's for you, Beth.

It's natural to have irrational fears.

I am now a college student.  While reflecting on this new adventure in my life, I am reminded of why I get to go to college.

Her name is Beth.

"Who is Beth?"
 you may ask,  or "what does this mysterious Beth have anything to do with Natalie's ability to pursue higher education?"

Let me explain.

When I was in middle school, my youth group took a trip to Daytona Beach, Florida.

The day of the incident had the appearance of a normal day.  Foreboding clouds painted the sky.  Buzzards encircled the hotel.  I swear I saw what looked like a dementor outside my window.

Okay, so none of that actually happened....which is why we never saw it coming.

As the time for our worship meeting approached, me and five other girls walked down the hall to the elevator, pushed the button, and boarded what I would later referred to as "the death machine." The elevator started moving up, as one would expect, when suddenly it shook violently and abruptly stopped.

We all said the first thing that came to our mind;

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"WE'RE GOING TO PLUMMET OT THE BASEMENT!"

"WE'RE ON THE FIRST FLOOR YOU IDIOT!"

"I DON'T WANNNA DIIEEEEE!"

I'm paraphrasing, of course.

We frantically pushed more buttons as fear gripped our hearts.  Nothing worked.  We were in a standstill limbo of death in this evil transportation box.  I didn't want to die, I hadn't even been to high school yet!  I still had to walk in a LINE down the hallways at school; a fact that seemed too depressing to dwell on.

We were all in a panic, when suddenly we realized there was another person outside of our party in the elevator.  She was a short women, appeared to be in her forties, and looked as though she weighed about 90 pounds.  This is perhaps why we didn't notice her initially, seeing as though she was about the size of Dobby the house elf.

"It's going to be alright ladies, we will be out of here in no time," she said soothingly as she reached for the telephone built into the elevator (which of course none of us had noticed).  She talked calmly to the manager explaining our situation.  She told us her name was Beth. We watched in awe as this angelic woman singlehandedly plotted our escape from the perilous death box, and what seemed like hours later, the doors finally opened to freedom.

As we all piled out of the elevator, we swore to her that we would all somehow repay her for saving our lives. My first book will be dedicated to Beth.  And probably my first child, boy or girl. Or dog.

Looking back, I think we were stuck in the elevator for 8 minutes. At tops.

But for now, I raise my water bottle to you Beth, for I am currently in the library attempting to study for my Spanish test tomorrow.

Muchos gracias Beth.