Toyota #TeenDrive Safety Clinics in NY & NJ

I don't have a teenager. (Although, most of the time, I do feel like Aiden's 6 going on 16.) But I remember back when I was a senior in high school and my then-boyfriend (aka my high school sweetheart, aka the person I thought I was going to marry... ah... young love!) first got his drivers license.

I remember that our entire crew was super excited and super happy that he got his drivers license. I was especially happy because I had a boyfriend who had a car and who could drive.

One day, as he was driving us home from school, his best friend (who was driving in his own car) thought it would be a good idea to see who could drive the fastest. Deep down inside, I thought it was a stupid idea. I mean, driving over the speed limit just to see which car's doper and can do doper ish just didn't make sense to me. But, I went along with it. Because, you know, I'm a girl and what the heck do I know about cars and guys and what makes guys look cool.

Zip zero, apparently.

So we drove. Fast. Too fast for my liking. They laughed and said things like, "Yo!!!" I clung to the handle on the passenger door and prayed to God that we would make it out alive.

We did.

I'm still here. He's still here. His best friend's still here. Our relationship is not still here.

Later on that day, I told him that I was way too scared to get back in the car with him if he was gonna be driving over the speed limit like the road is some kinda roller coaster, there to provide adventure just for the thrill of it.

But, honestly, I wish I had the guts to say something to him before we got in the car. Like, drive safety and smartly because, when you don't, you not only risk your life, but the life of others as well.

I didn't tell my then-boyfriend that, but I do intend to tell Aiden -- and every other teen who would listen -- when they get their driver's license. Because, if I don't tell them, they may think it's cool to do stupid things like drive as fast as they could to see if their car is "cool" or not.

Not gonna happen. Not with my Aiden.

That's why I'm partnering with Toyota and their Teen Driver Safety Clinic. If you have a teen who drives -- or if you love a teen who drives -- visit their website to learn more information or to RSVP for the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic. If you're on social media, follow along with the hashtag #TeenDrive365 to stay in the know.

{Disclaimer: I am a member of the Stiletto Media Blogger Network. This is a sponsored post written for #TeenDrive365 and the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own. For more information on the Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic, please visit http://bit.ly/1nfUJ0e}