(Some friends and I got together to have a Nerf war in the forest at a relative’s house. After an extended period of time, we all realized that we’ve lost track of one of our friends in the chaos.)

Me: “Is [Friend #1] even still here, or did he walk back into the house?”

Friend #2: “I’m not sure. He did say that he was hungry earlier, but he usually tells someone before he leaves.”

Friend #3: “Yo, [Friend #1], are you out there buddy?”

(There’s still no answer and we can’t figure out where he’s hiding.)

Friend #2: “Well, he’s either really well hidden or he went back to the house without telling anyone.”

(All of a sudden Friend #1, covered in mud, drops down from a nearby tree, shoots us all with a Nerf dart, shouts “peanut butter toast” as a battle cry, and then disappears into the woods again. We all stand watching the direction he disappeared to in stunned silence.)

Me: “I think that just raised more questions than it answered.”

(He later claimed it was a crazy homeless guy and not him, even though he was still covered in mud and his favorite snack is peanut butter toast.)

(My husband takes my son out for trick-or-treating, while I stay home and hand out stuff to the trick-or-treaters. I have made my husband a grim reaper costume, complete with a deep-cowled hood, blackout face mask, and black silk gloves. He carries a large cardboard scythe. At one house, the homeowner gives my son his treat, then asks:)

Homeowner: “Who’s that big guy behind you?”

Husband: *in his deepest voice* “I’m his father.”

(The guy yelped, jumped back, and dumped his candy bowl. When they got home, son was bouncing with excitement:)

Son: “Daddy scared a grown-up! Daddy scared a grown-up!”

(My boyfriend and I are walking through the city and spot a little girl who has her face painted as a tiger. I should mention I’m not girly or anything at all and I sometimes call my boyfriend my hero as a nickname.)

Boyfriend: *joking* “Oooh, wanna have your face painted too? As a princess?!”

Me: “Princess? Huh?! But wait, yeah, you’re my hero, then!”

Boyfriend: “Awesome, now we just have to decide if your mom or mine will be the dragon!”

(My twin sister and I are taking a walk through our hometown when I notice a man who looks remarkably like a certain celebrity. I decide to point this out.)

Me: “That guy looks like Al Pacino.”

Sister: “What? No, he doesn’t.”

Me: “He totally does!”

Sister: “How the h*** does he look like Al Pacino?”

Me: “He has a droopy jowl.”

Sister: “Lots of older men have droopy jowls.”

Me: “AND THEY ALL LOOK LIKE AL PACINO!”

(My mother lives on her own, and sometimes I come stay with her to keep her company. When I do, I usually make a trip to the grocery store that is about five blocks away, but have to walk due to being unable to drive. On this particular day, it is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside and almost 50% humidity. I didn’t want to go out particularly but we absolutely needed some stuff.)

Me: *walks along the road with three large bags of groceries and two packages of paper products* “I only joked about this, but I’m seriously thinking I might actually hitchhike.”

(I continue to walk and struggle with my groceries, and suddenly a sedan drives slowly past me and stops a few feet away. I think nothing of it, but as I pass the side, the driver rolls the window down.)

Woman: “How far ya goin?”

Me: *blinks in confusion* “Uh, just a couple more blocks down the road. It’s not far.”

Woman: “Well, I’m going that way too. Hop in.”

Me: *incredulous* “What?”

Woman: “Hop in. It’s hot, it’s humid, and you are out here struggling with way more than you can carry. I’ll drive you home.”

Me: *stunned and near tears* “Thank you so much.”

(I get into the car and set my groceries down, and as soon as the door closes she drives off as I get my seatbelt fastened.)

Woman: “So, how far?”

Me: “Uh, the next right. I live in the cul-de-sac.”

Woman: *pulls up right in front of my mother’s house* “There you go.”

Me: *gathering my stuff* “Thank you so much! If you don’t mind waiting a couple minutes, I can run inside and get you some money.”

Woman: “Naw, hun, it was the right thing to do. You and your mother take care.” *rolls window up and drives away*

(It wasn’t until I had gotten inside that I realized we didn’t give each other our names. Ma’am, if you are reading this, thank you so much for driving me home! My family and I really appreciated you going out of your way to help a stupid 20-something kid get home out of the heat.)