The brake lights flashed and they swerved. So did we. But too late. I can still hear the crunch.

I looked at my husband. “It’s okay. We’re okay. Just pull to the side of the road.”

He shook his head. “I can’t. It won’t go.”

That day, a dozen people stepped in to help us. Our parents talked us through what to do. The sheriff offered us water. The tow truck driver helped us figure out next steps. Friends picked us up. The Day’s Inn...