Where Were You on Sept. 11, 2001?

I was sitting in Mr. Miller's world history class in the ninth grade when the twin towers went down. 

An upperclassman wheeled in a television and immediately turned on CNN. 

I remember thinking to myself that it was an accident—a horrible accident. I was 14 years old at the time. Why would I think that someone would deliberately attack us? 

The scariest part of my day was when another teacher, my cousin-in-law, pulled me out of class to see if I was able to get in touch with my mother. I was one of a handful of freshmen who had a cell phone. 

He asked if I knew anything about my aunt being all right. My aunt worked for the NSA for decades. She occasionally worked out of The Pentagon. 

I couldn't get through to anyone. 

We, the students, were sent home early that day. My mother was already home. I was relieved to find out my aunt wasn't in Washington. 

I remember later that night that a handful of celebrities had gotten together to raise money. Ten years later, we're still trying help. I can still see Enrique Iglesias singing "Hero" and Mike Myers putting the jokes aside to address the United States.

I remember the black and white message that appeared before the episode of Friends, informing the audience that cuts of the New York skyline would still depict the towers.

I remember thinking to myself that everything would change.

That is where I was on .