You never know where life will take you. And for me, it took me off of the beaten path, away from my plans, and into a tiny town last summer that I never would have visited. Until, that is – our car broke down.
It was supposed to be a fun trip to Galveston then San Antonio. A 4-day getaway – just to relax before the start of a new work week and say goodbye to summer. But fate had other plans. 
On the way from Galveston to San Antonio along Highway 10, my old trusty Jeep broke down. It was hot and we seemed to be miles from any civilization. We had to quickly weigh our options in the summer heat. Walk? Stay in the car out of the sun on the side of the highway? Get away from the traffic but risk the hot sun? After several phone calls, a friend then called to tell us about a shop nearby that strangely none of the towing companies mentioned. We arrived, and the owner of the shop, Elpidio Moreno (known simply by his last name), already knew our names, our situation, and was making plans to get us fixed up. Moreno was delighted to see that we were bringing a Jeep Wrangler to him. He owned the same make and model and was very familiar with its mechanics. The town was Flatonia, and the shop was Titan Tires and Automotive Services.
Our breakdown happened somewhat late in the day and Moreno was worried he couldn’t get us back up and running in time for us to make it to San Antonio for our reservations that night. His lovely wife, Shanna, spent the rest of her afternoon making phone calls looking for the part we needed while Moreno fixed what he could in order to save us money. He also evaluated the Jeep to ensure nothing else was wrong. Moreno and Shanna both prepared us for the likelihood that we would be staying at least one night in Flatonia. They knew we were looking forward to pulling into San Antonio for the rest of our vacation and saw the disappointment on our faces. I called the hotel we had been headed toward, right at check-in time, to let the desk know of the sudden change in plans, but of course it would not allow the cancellation of even one night without more notice. Moreno and Shanna, on the other hand, were much more accommodating. After what seemed like dozens of calls, and nearly 2 hours on the phone, Shanna struck gold. She found the part we needed. We assumed she would have the part shipped overnight for it to arrive the next morning, but no – she said she was going to go pick it up for us. By now, their shop is closed. Their children had been home from school and it was well into dinner time. It was a more than an hour round-trip drive for her to make to pick up the part, but she didn’t bat an eye. On her way out, she told us it was a perfect opportunity for us to try the best restaurant in town, and that she would drop us off there.
The establishment was known for its steak. It appeared to be waiting for the socialites of Dallas, but was serving the farm hands of Flatonia. Men in dusty boots and overalls were at tables with white linen cloths and candles, but somehow, they didn’t seem a bit out of place. They were joking with each other, enjoying their wholesome American fare, and unknowingly reminding us that there is no hurry. There is absolute joy in just appreciating where you are and who you’re with. And we did. 
We enjoyed a wonderful steak meal and just as we walked out and snapped a selfie to remind us of the experience, Shanna pulled up. The timing was perfect and she had our much-needed part in tow. Moreno wasted no time back at his shop finishing up the job. Thanks to this couple and their dedicated staff, we were back on the road. Our reservations were not wasted, and we learned a valuable lesson that life is about the journey more so than the destination. So if you ever find yourself stranded, along Highway 10 or anywhere between Galveston and San Antonio, visit Moreno’s shop in Flatonia. He will get you fixed up inexpensively and honestly, even if it means putting his joy of fishing on hold. Titan and Moreno gave us much more than automotive service – deep in the heart of Texas.
