Sunday, November 29, 2009

My First Love

Okay, you knew this was coming. I want to write about another "first." Since I'm a romance writer (with suspense and humor thrown into the mix), let's talk about our first love. My first true love was in high school. Alan and I dated for two years. (I'll spare him the embarrassment and not mention his last name.) He was two years older than me, tall, with blonde curly hair. He had a chevy van with a bed in the back. It was the 70's... Boy, did my dad ever hate that van. I honestly was a good girl throughout high school (I truly was) so dad needn't have worried but he probably got quite a few gray hairs over that van. Alan and I loved to camp and would go with my parents, sister and brother to a place called Jellystone Park. I was only interested in getting a good sun tan so Alan would swim with my sister, Alison, who was a lifeguard. We'd cook outside at night and then kiss in his van until Dad yelled at me to come inside the tent. Did I mention Alan was a great kisser?!! We'd also go to Central ballgames (he was the quarterback), school dances, eat Shaky's Pizza after every game and play fooseball. We also liked going to concerts and movies. Alan was a really sweet guy and a great first boyfriend up until I cut my very long, brunette hair. Soon after, he broke up with me. BROKE UP WITH ME. While staring at my shorter hair and remindng me it used to be past my elbows, all he could mutter was, "You cut your hair." Astute observation, Alan. I was a senior in high school and he started dating a girl who had a big house, a pool table (and long hair). Well, I certainly couldn't compete with that, so it was o-v-e-r. We did get back together the summer after I graduated (he was already in college) but it didn't last long. I almost literally ran into him at a local hospital last spring. It was interesting to say the least. He looked good and seemed happy. It was a little awkward but he could tell I'm happy and we had a nice conversation, so all's well. Wonder what he thought about my now-blonde hair?!! How about you? Who was your first love? Please, do tell.

9 comments:

  1. Oh wow. I can't believe he dumped you over a haircut!!!! I hope you didn't shed any tears over that jerk!!

    My first love was in first grade. I can't even remember his name. But he was cute! The only thing I really remember about him was that we were walking together, the bell to go back inside rang, I took off, and I heard him yell - "Hey, Shirley Temple! Wait for me!"

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  2. My first love was Jeff Dobson, he was the best dinosaur draw-er in kindergarten. I was heart broken when his parents moved from Banff to Vancouver. He was a sweet boy with sandy blonde hair and grey blue eyes. He was my first kiss too. Yes, I started young. Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Beth.

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  3. My first love was 8th grade in a one room school (yes, I said one room) deep in the Ozarks. I moved away and didn't see him again until I was already dating my soon-to-be husband. He came to my house and asked me out and I had to say no. I have seen him and his family several times since we both married. Don't know where he is now - I assume he is retired. He became a highway patrolman after a couple of years with a baseball team somewhere.

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  4. You girls did start young. I had crushes on three guys in elementary school (Terry, Tommy and Jeff). I remember a guy in junior high wrote my name on his tennis shoes with a black marker. I couldn't believe it.

    Cute about the Shirley Temple remark. I'm sure I did cry, Shirley. He was a great guy. Just didn't know my hair was a deal breaker.

    Stephanie, love the dinosaur drawing. How cute. I bet you were sad when his family moved.

    Pat, two guys at once wanted your attention! Maybe you should try to find him on Facebook or Classmates. You never know...

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  5. My first love was my Uncle Bill. He was a whopping three years older than me (Mom was the second oldest of 12 children) and the only one of the young uncles who would actually play with me. We made mud pies and explored the property they lived on (in Peculiar, MO) until he got to be eight or nine years old and wanted to do 'guy things' with the two brothers just older than him. I still remember the first time I watched those three little boys walk away from me, plaid shirts covering their straight little backs, fishing poles over their shoulders. It broke my heart. Grandma did her best to comfort me - she let me use some cornstarch that day to frost my mud 'cakes', but it just wasn't the same without Billy. He is still my hero and has helped me over many of life's rough spots. He came when my husband died, moved our belongings from the house in Indiana and moved me again when I sold the farm at Alton and moved to this area. He rented a jack-hammer so that he could construct a chain-link fence so my little dog could be outside. He was definitely my first love and will probably be my last...we're not so young anymore. Our collective six children are grown and we've both been blessed with grandkids. His wife Sheryl is one of the dearest friends I've ever had. I've been blessed to have him in my life - all of my life. They tell me that he used to walk beside my baby carriage and when someone would ask 'Is that your little sister?' he would proudly respond 'Nope! I'm a uncle!' May God bless and keep you always, Uncle Bill.

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  6. What a sweet story, Jean. I can just picture your forlorn face as you watched the guys walk away, fishing poles in hand. Great descriptive scene.

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  7. Late again. Just got back from vacation, today. Wanted to catch up. No computer, is hard to do. The first boy to ask me to marry him was not my love so I turned him down on a Friday the Thirteenth. Always wondered if that was a bad omen for him.

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  8. Oh, Jan. You're such a heartbreaker. How old were you when he asked?

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  9. My first serious love was Jeff Dunbar. I was 17, he was 26. My heart still pitter pats at the sight of him. The first time I met him, I was bent over a pool table on Christmas day at the local pub. 2 quarters rolled across the table, right in the middle of my shot. I remember the bar going silent and I looked up to connect with the most beautiful brown eyes. He grinned and I was gone. We were together on and off for seven years... until I broke it off to marry Bob. I found out later from Jeff's sister, the night I dumped him he was planning to propose.

    I saw Jeff a year ago when I went back to IL. He still operates the same auto repair business his dad owned. The playboy has become an youth evangalist. That piece of information sparked a book I have yet to write.

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