As I sat in my car, waiting for my turn, I began to retrace my steps.

Where had I been? Who had I talked to? When was the last time I made the mistake of shaking someone’s hand?

As I sat there, I also started to think of when the last time I had kissed my kiddos goodnight, or sat on the couch with them too long watching the Braves on television?

Then it was my turn, and then my thoughts turned to “be a big boy, don’t flinch.”

Last Saturday, after waking up not feeling “just right,” and texting back and forth with my doctor, I decided to get tested for COVID-19. I didn’t think I met all the symptoms, but I had been exposed to someone recently who had tested positive. Stephanie and I decided it would be best “just to make sure.”

Those conducting the test were both tremendously professional and efficient, even as I cracked a joke about the drive-through service and not getting what I ordered. What I got, from this test, was a set of watery eyes and a feeling they had actually touched a memory in my brain from 1993.

But while getting the test was fine, it was the waiting that proved to be the worst part. Since I took the test on a Saturday, it wasn’t until Monday before it was sent off and received by a lab, leading to more days of waiting, more days of distancing from my wife and children, working remotely and wondering. A lot of wondering.

Again, I felt fine, but the wondering and worrying played havoc with my nerves. If I were positive, what would that mean for my wife and my children? Would they need to be tested and what if they were positive?

Thankfully, a few days later, I received a call that my test had come back negative. I could feel the worry leave my shoulders, only to have it replaced by a really big hug from my children. It was a hug days in the making and topped only by the long hug — and kiss — from my wife.

As of Friday, more than 1,000 people in Warren County have tested positive for COVID-19 and 32 have died. For those who have tested positive, it has been an amazing hardship, and for those who have died, it has been devastating on their families.

Throughout the entire process, we talked to our children, explained why getting tested was important and spent time reinforcing the steps we take to keep ourselves, our children and others safe.

I had long believed this virus was real, the threat was real, but feeling the need to be tested and going through that waiting process has just strengthened my resolve. I enjoy hugs from my wife and children far too much to ease up now.