Its like riding a bike...

So, its my birthday, officially in Eastern Standard time as of 2 minutes, make that 3 minutes ago.
Last week as an early birthday present my mom gave me the means with which to buy myself a new bicycle. It was pretty exciting- yes, I do have the heart of an 10-12 year old, but it was also a little scary. See, I havent been on a bicycle in probably about 10 years, and I dont think I ever really recovered and was comfortable on a bike after my wreck.
Cue the bike wreck story:
Once upon a time, my best friend, neighbor and person who was like my sister and I went for a ride. I had a pretty sweet bicycle that I had gotten, maybe even as a birthday present, and it was lime green and royal blue, I think it was a boys bike but I loved that thing, I rode it quite frequently. But on this particular day we went out to the bus stop but then turned left and went another half mile or so down the road. We get to the top of the big hill and I tell N "I dont want to ride my bike down the hill, its too big and Im kind of afraid I will wreck." She said "Jessie, dont be such a chicken, its just a hill, dont worry about it, just use your brakes and go slow."
So we start down the big scary hill. My handle bars start shaking, violently. And the next thing I know I am more than halfway down the hill face down with my bike about 5 feet away from me and N is asking me if I am alright. I get up to find both knees skinned, 2 nice injuries to my right hand, my left elbow has a huge chunk skin missing and my right elbow is skinned a little bit. I wasnt wearing a helmet- at least I dont think I was, but my head seemed to be fine. And later I would discover a massive bruise on my left hip, from what we figured, the bike landed on me and bounced? who knows. Anyway, we are over a mile from my house and even further from N's, we dont know many of these neighbors but we do know the P's who live right near our bus stop. My bike's front tire was almost folded in half and there was nothing to do but leave it on the side of the road as we went for help. That right, I walked a half mile with super sore knees, bleeding elbows and a bleeding wrist. That walk seemed like it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R, but eventually we made it to the P's and Momma P fixed me up while Daddy P took his car to retrieve my bike. They then drove me home and that was that.
The only problem being that I didnt get back on the bike and now big hills REALLY terrified me. It didnt help at all that our driveway is a big hill. My bike was out of commission, and I think that made me sadder than anything. I would occasionally ride on mom or dad's bikes but they just werent as cool as my bike, and I didnt feel very safe on them.
Fast forward 9ish years and I decide I want to get back on a bike. Fast forward another year and I finally get a new bike.
Now, now I am in my 20's, riding a bike shouldnt be a big deal, but its kind of terrifying. I know I want to ride a bike and get good at it and use it as a form of exercising BUT Im kind of terrified of wrecking. I have been on 3 rides and its been a strange mix of emotions each time. I am excited and happy to get out, feel the wind on my cheeks and be riding a bicycle, but on the other hand, Im not very stable on my bike. I havent wrecked, yet, but I just feel wobbly.
Moral of the story: I am kind of terrified of my new bike, and wrecking, but Im facing that fear head on each time I get on the bike. Perhaps, though, I should buy a helmet... you know take measures to prevent brain damage should I actually wreck. :)