I remember the day I met my first love. I was with my Dad and we were working on the back of our farm and he said we were going over to the neighbor’s farm to meet their grand-daughter who was visiting for the summer. I told Dad that I didn’t want to go and wanted to go to Cub Scouts instead that night. He said, no we were going. That’s when I met her. I don’t remember much of that summer except I know we played tennis as I have a picture of us with tennis rackets. Through the years we corresponded. She had beautiful handwriting, and I think I told her things that at the time were very important to me; and some may still be. She would sign with the typical “Love” as an ending. I know I did mine. But as I look back now, I realize that the meaning of what I signed was different than what she meant.
While attending military school we kept up the letter writing. I sent her flowers on Valentine's Day and I remember that I signed a couple of cards with the verses from the song "Rose are Red" by Bobby Vinton; "Rose are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet but not as sweet as you." I even had her pictures in frames. I never called her my girl friend or anything like that. When someone asked I just told them her name. How can you describe someone who you had loved for years and had only been together a handful of times and not so much as held hands? And yet she was the most important person to me.
I remember the last time I actually physically laid eyes on her. It was her grandma’s wedding. Her first husband had passed away years before but now she was getting married again. I was invited and I knew she would be there too. I was walking on Cloud 9. I thought it would be like a movie or book. It wasn’t of course but I enjoyed what time I did spend with her. I remember after the reception in the small town’s Knights of Columbus Hall, and her walking with me to my car; I was 17. We talked a bit, but she was leaving soon, and I would not get a chance to see her again before she left. She gave me a kiss; I believe on the cheek. And we said our good-byes. One of the last things I got from her was a card when I graduated high school. She was sorry she couldn’t make it, but was happy for me graduating and the awards I had won. She closed with ‘All my love.’ Time and distance did its thing and we drifted and lost touch.
As I look back through the time of 30 years, with eyes a bit wiser than my adolescence counter-part, I realize that she humored a young boy. I mean she probably did love me, as a friend, but I was in love with her. Girls always mature faster than boys. While I was a perfect gentleman, my mind let me play out all the “Fantasy Island” and “Love Boat” scenarios. First love is something that can not be measured or traded for any amount of money. It is the first time we go into something completely trusting and open. Those memories of her, though faded some with time still bring a smile to my lips. I can still see her face; her picture frozen in time for me. I hope she has a great life and a wonderful love.
A while ago I had a dream and that she had 3 daughters. I am sure she raised them well and are as lovely as her mother. I only hope the boys those dream daughters have fall for them treat them as well as I did their mother.
I truly hope she is happy where ever she is, as that is what you want for someone you love.
