My First Boyfriend...

I was in the eighth grade. I was a bit different than most of the girls my age. As my friend Dawna was lamenting about her 32A bra size, I was sobbing about my 34D. I was still playing with dolls in the eight grade, but also at the same time, I was stuggling with a woman's body. I always felt awkward and different.

Even though my friends and I were still playing Jacks, we had also started to take notice of the opposite sex. I went to a Jr. High School which included the 7th and 8th grades only. Our school did have a few school dances, and I distinctly remember learning the Bristol Stomp at one.

In Jr. High School if you had a boyfriend, it meant that he walked you to your classes holding your hand. Of course, at the end of the school day, you parted with hugs and the feeling that you would never see each other again. Most 8th grade romances lasted about three weeks. Mine lasted a lifetime.

On February 14, 1962, I received a home made Valentine from a young man whom I had admired from afar. I was very surprised to receive a card from the young man that I thought so handsome. I had no idea that he had even noticed me. I have never forgotten my first real, honest to goodness, Valentine's Day card. Although, I am not sure if my young man remembers sending it to me.

Anyway, I was stunned by my card. I had no idea that this very cute, blond boy had noticed me. Actually, he wasn't a boy. He too was more mature than the other skinny boys in our school. He was more like me, just a bit more ahead of the rest of the kids in physical development.

I contacted the young man the next day. I thanked him for my card and from that moment, we were together. He would walk me to my classes, carry my books, and hold my hand. We would hug at the end of the school day. This wonderful young man had become my first boyfriend. For eighth graders, I feel that we had quite a heated romance. I was even invited to his house for dinner. I remember that we could talk about anything. And yes, we did share a few sweet kisses. We were together until summer break. We saw each other a few times over the summer. Then, with the beginning of high school, we drifted apart.

I remember seeing him and talking to him in high school. But, for some reason he didn't walk me to my classes anymore, or hold my hand. He moved away at the end of our freshman year. I don't even remember saying goodbye. Suddenly, he was just gone, and part of my teenage heart went with him.

I have wondered through the years what happened to my friend. I never have forgotten his face, or his hands. I have never forgotten how it felt for him to hold my hand, or the touch of my first kiss. Most of all, I will never forget the first feelings in my body that confirmed, indeed I was a woman. Which I mght add, frightend me. I didn't understand this kind of physical feeling. I just knew that it felt good.

He was in my life for only a moment in time. Although, his reflection has never left me. I can see him as clearly as I did 47 years ago. Unfortunately for me, I never found him again.

To some, this may sound like an insignificant story. It isn't. I was lucky to have had this wonderful and sweet experience. He awakened feelings in me that I never knew existed. He was kind, tender, and very thoughtful. How fortunate I was to have had such a wonderful person to offer me such a sweet and tender first romance.

I must admit, I never met another man quite like him.

So Mothers, when your young daughter comes home from Jr. High School to tell you that she thinks that she is in love, please do not discount her feelings. Perhaps indeed, she may be.

I am quite sure that I was. We just met too young and too soon. When I look back, it brings me happiness that we even met at all. For even being so young, it was very, very good.