My Date With the DMV: Before and After

I called this post “My Date With the DMV: Before and After” for a very specific reason…

Let’s start at the beginning of the day! There was such promise in that early-morning summer sunshine, and it practically radiated optimism directly from the blue sky. Everything seemed like it was coming together: I was up early (a rarity for me!) and all ready to leave the house by 10:30. Heck, it was a veritable #LetsDoThis hashtag come to life! Oh, yes, I was a woman on a mission!

My destination? The local DMV office! I had to get my state ID renewed because it, umm, expired in 2016. I know, I know — let the record show that I take FULL responsibility for my laziness here.

Now, maybe I was just being naive (story of my life sometimes!), but I thought this whole thing would be a piece of cake. You know, a one-and-done, in-and-out sort of situation. I mean, just look at my happy face in that “before” picture — I’m practically glowing with enthusiasm, don’t you think? I figured that I’d be out of there in 30 minutes at the most and have the rest of my day to enjoy…

Well, I’ve never been more wrong in my ENTIRE LIFE. There is nothing fast, speedy or quick about the DMV; they’re even slower than I am, and that’s saying something!

The place was packed — you’d think Shawn Mendes was in town for a concert. So I took a number — don’t remember what number it was exactly because, let’s be honest, I blocked out most of the experience! But I do remember that there were probably 40 or 50 people ahead of me!!

I waited. And waited. And waited.

Then, I was called up, which I thought was strange because my number hadn’t been called yet (I’d learn later that the elderly and disabled don’t have to wait), and for a brief moment, I felt another flicker of hope.

This was going to be a breeze!!

No, past Melissa, it’s not going to be a breeze. Not by a long shot!

Turns out, if your ID is expired for more than one year, then you need your birth certificate! Oops! I called Ms. Bear in a panic, and she brought it over — bless her heart, she even skipped Zumba!! Thanks, Mom!!

Think my adventure is over? Think again.

We had my birth certificate, but it was a copy of the certified copy — not acceptable!!

We left the DMV that day feeling very defeated!! We went home and, thankfully, found the golden ticket that is my actual birth certificate! But we were so exhausted from the day that we waited a day to go back. We thought it best to spread out the DMV fun.

All’s well that ends well, though, because a brand-spanking new, shiny ID is on its way to my house as I type this!

Whew!! That whole experience was certainly a time, wasn’t it?

Needless to say, I’ve learned my lesson about the DMV. The moral of this little stressful story? The DMV is not like a drive-thru fast food restaurant. Better block out an entire day to devote to the experience. Oh, and don’t wait THREE years to renew your state ID… xoxo

[Last photo via Unsplash]