Two Teens Got Stranded on Their Way to Prom - Later, They Pull up in the Back of a Police Car
Prom tends to be a memorable experience for most high school kids. It is, after all, the social event of the year.
But for two kids from Dunn County, North Dakota, it's not the prom itself that left a lasting impression. It's what happened on the way that turned it into one heck of a night to remember.
What Happened When Two Teens Got Stranded on their Way to Prom
Killdeer High School Students at their 2024 Prom
Killdeer Public School District #6/Facebook
Dunn County Sheriff Officer, Corporal Tyler Rintamaki never made it to prom. That is, until now.
Rintamaki and another deputy were headed back to the office when they spotted a truck on the side of Highway 22, flashers on and facing the wrong direction, perKFRY-TV.
“We thought it was odd, so we stopped and checked on them," Rintamaki said.
That's when the officers met Danica Mindt and Ian Gloria, juniors at Killdeer High School. The teens were on their way to prom when their truck unexpectedly broke down.
“The truck started beeping at me, making some weird noises and popping up this caution light. I knew something was wrong,” said Mindt.
Not knowing what else to do, the teens were about to call 9-1-1. But, as luck would have it, they didn't have to.
The officers immediately sprang into action. Unable to fix the truck, they decided to go with Plan B.
"Determined not to let the unexpected setback spoil the students' special night, Corporal Rintamaki and Deputy Jermeay provided a kind and compassionate gesture by offering them a courtesy ride to prom," the Dunn County Sheriff's Department wrote on their Facebook page.
However, they didn't just give them a ride. They also gave them pictures to prove it.
Riding to Prom in Style
Killdeer High School juniors Danica Mindt and Ian Gloria taking prom photos in front of Dunn County Sheriff's Dept. vehicles.
@danica_mindt369/Instagram
With only moments to go before their scheduled prom photos, and the clock ticking, Mindt and Gloria worried that they'd miss out.
But Rintamaki wasn't about to let that happen on his watch. He offered to take some "one-of-a-kind" photos for them.
“I was like, ‘Well, we can just take photos for you. We can take photos here in front of the police car,’“ he said.
So, with the road stretching behind them and two police cruisers flanking them, the duo struck a pose in a roadside photoshoot they'll never forget.
Ten minutes later, the teens made it to their high school prom in what may just be the most epic entrance ever — in the back of a police car with sirens wailing.
They even made it in time for their official photoshoot. All thanks to the Dunn County men in blue.
As for the villain in this tale? Mechanics are still trying to figure out what's wrong with the broken-down truck.
A Night To Remember Thanks To the Kindness of Strangers
Killdeer High School juniors Danica Mindt and Ian Gloria
@danica_mindt369/Instagram
The Dunn County Sheriff's Office commended the officers on their act of kindness, writing:
"Their selfless act reflects the values of service and community that define law enforcement, ensuring that Danica and Ian arrived safely and on time to create cherished memories at their prom."
Dunn County Sheriff's Office
Because of the police officers' good deed, Mindt's and Gloria's prom "was a blast."
But it wasn't just a night the high schoolers will never forget, it was one for Rintamaki too.
In a cool twist of fate, Rintamaki was finally able to cross prom off his own list of life experiences.
Having never made it to his own high school prom years ago, the unexpected encounter gave him a chance to finally say he'd been, proving it really is never too late for second chances.
The 6 Signs You Have Found Your Soulmate--And How To Prepare For It
With additions by Ricky Derisz
When you hear the word soulmate, you probably think of some unexpected, perfect, just-like-you match that comes into your life one day and takes your breath away. We love to believe this myth. One reason we love it is because it requires little to no effort on our part, as the outcome is written in the stars, and guided by fate.
Sure, it’s frustrating to wait for Mr or Ms. Right, but believing in this myth is the easy path. If destiny is in control, finding love is a passive process. Not only that, but this parable justifies wandering wishes – of discovering someone who causes us little to no friction.
Life is already tough. Wouldn’t it be great to find someone who can finally accept ‘you’ as-is? The irony is, believing in this myth could be the one thing preventing you from finding and developing a relationship with your true soulmate.
Definition
A soulmate, meaning someone with which you have the closest possible human bond. Although this can be platonic, such as a best friend, most people link the idea of a soulmate with romance. As the term implies, the relationship has spiritual connotations — including a shared connection that transcends time and space, or multiple lifetimes.
A soulmate is usually far more disruptive than the false ideal of a missing puzzle piece that will complete your life and make everything okay. At its most intense, this person sees directly into your soul, destroying the inauthentic, false ‘you’ in the process. From this, something beautiful happens, as the real You is acknowledged, celebrated, and revealed. That includes your dreams, your beauty, and the immense strength you carry within.
Consequently, a soulmate is in your life for a distinct purpose or mission. This is an important aspect of this relationship, as a soulmate isn’t here to make you feel comfortable, or make things easy. They know who you really are; they will help you break through the limitations you see in yourself, and if necessary they will upset the very foundation of your ego.
Their greatest gift and most important role is that they don’t fit the myth of perfection. Instead, a soulmate is a loving and revealing transformer.A person who isn’t afraid to challenge the ideas you have of yourself. They will expose you to flaws that keep you from achieving your true potential – in mind, body, and in spirit.
To quote Elizabeth Gilbert, “a soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.”
At times, the process hurts. Not because they are here to hurt us, but because if we protect the ideas we have of ourselves with a proverbial death grip, letting go of an ego-identity, to grow into something greater, feels like a risk. But the risk is always worth taking, especially in the company of a true spiritual companion.
Relationships and spiritual growth
When someone comes along who has gotten so close as to see into our truest, deepest nature, we become exposed. We become confused. We become vulnerable. And like any other muscle in our body, the heart and mind must be vulnerable to experience growth; only then can we develop true strength.
As humans, we fear change and love comfort, but it is change that gives us the ability to stand in our own courage and proclaim victory over the challenges we never thought we could overcome, let alone those we never even knew existed.
Fear hides behind ego, behind the illusion of strength… and so, there is a special love reserved for those whose grand, yet humble presence causes us to be so exposed that we actually become better people in our own eyes. We form a new kind of power that is rooted in what most people consider weakness. We find strength in vulnerability.
The world has plenty of powerful people with seemingly indestructible egos, and even more naysayers and yes-men. What we really need are vulnerable people, those who live from the heart. Less fear, and more courage. Less smoke, and more mirrors. What we need are soulmates.
The 6 signs you have found your soulmate
There’s no definitive checklist to confirm you’ve found your soulmate. Meaning and purpose with a partner is something felt on a heart level. Even if there are ups and downs, the connection feels resolute, strong, and nourishing. But if you have thought “who is my soulmate?,” these signs indicate you’ve found a potential contender:
When will you meet your soulmate?
There is a note of caution with entering such a dynamic. It takes a willingness, independence, and spiritual insight to ensure the process of “destruction” is autonomous. Sure, it will hurt at times, but the ability to discern when someone is reflecting blind spots in a way that catalyzes growth, or when someone is being disruptive in an unhealthy way, is crucial.
As a result, most people will meet their soulmate when they are spiritually and emotionally developed enough to enter such a relationship. For others, a soulmate relationship is nourishing and supportive, if that is what is most needed. Someone who lacks trust or had a difficult upbringing may attract a soulmate who provides a feeling of security and belonging.
So the word of warning is to be aware of the line between supportive and at times difficult reflection, and traits that point more towards an unhealthy dynamic. How can you prepare to meet your soulmate? It begins with inner work. And inner work begins by asking yourself some tough questions:
Trust that these relationships contain a seed of mystery, and you’re not in full control of when you will meet your soulmate. The best action step is to be receptive, open, and focus on developing self-worth and spiritual growth, independent of any single relationship.
It’s also worth noting that there is a distinction between a soulmate and a twin flame. Throughout life, you might have numerous soulmate relationships — or even a “soul tribe” of like-minded, like-hearted people. Any of these, at different times, can reflect what needs to be reflected. A twin flame, however, has a different quality, with even more mirroring.
Regardless, no single person is to be pedestalled or to have the final say over your life. A soul mate knows this, and will guide gently, with love and respect.
In conclusion
Today, you may be completely oblivious to people who will mean so much to you in the future—ordinary people who will help you change your perspectives, and in doing so, will change the very quality of your life experience.
We have zero insight into how or when such connections form, and yet, in that serendipity—in our collective blindness—lies the beauty of life. So, next time you feel like you don’t make a difference, think of the power one handshake or one “hello” has to transform an entire human being. Never forget this power.
You can be the soulmate someone never knew they needed. And if you’re wondering when the time is right, just remember: it’s better to live a life of a few “oh wells” than to live a life full of “what ifs.”