In kindergarten his name was Bill; in sixth-grade his name was Tommy; in eighth-grade his name was Bobby; in 10th grade his name was David. These were my first loves — aka “puppy love.” In kindergarten Bill and I would climb out the window during rest period and play on the swings. The teacher would call my mother and tell her she didn’t know what to do because I just would not pay attention to her when it was time for rest period. My mother scolded me, but I thought there was just too much fun to be had to waste it by resting. Bill and I were friends from kindergarten through high school graduation, but after graduation we lost contact with one another.
Tommy carried my books and held my hand while he walked me home from school. He was the class clown and always made me laugh. We remained friends through high school as well. We met again at the 50th anniversary of our church. He introduced me to his wife and told her I was his first love.
Bobby and I were on-again, off-again sweethearts. He wrote the first love letter I ever received. I really don’t remember what was in the letter, but I do remember he signed it, “Lover Boy.” I showed it to my mother and she read it to my brother who was relentless in his teasing. I remember feeling so embarrassed that my mom shared it. Bobby eventually dropped me when my parents refused to allow me to go on vacation with his family. The last I heard he had carved out a career in the military.
David and I were “steadies” from the 10th through the 12th grades in high school. I wore his class ring on a Speidel chain around my neck and he wore the Speidel ID bracelet I gave him. Those were the “hot” items for steadies back in 1953-55. He graduated a year ahead of me and went away to college. I followed a year later, but things changed between us and we soon parted ways. He later became a minister and married a girl named Martha. We reconnected several years ago and enjoyed sharing memories and laughs together.
First loves matter in a person’s life. It’s part of the ritual of becoming who you are. I share this because when our grandson was in sixth grade he experienced his first love. He was my friend on Facebook, and I enjoyed the way he outwardly expressed his feelings for his young love. He was cute and funny, and his expressions were hysterical. He seemed to be quite comfortable sharing his feelings publicly, and I found it very refreshing. His parents thought it was shocking and tried to throw a monkey wrench in his love affair. It didn’t work! He thought she was wonderful.
Love does funny things to people. For my grandson it provided a channel for his funny antics. He was such a showoff — outgoing and unassuming. This verbose young man graduated from high school and is now 20 years old and serving his country in the army stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
He still seizes the moment and runs with whatever it gives him as his life is full of anxious moments and surprises. But, his love for country surpasses any puppy love he has ever experienced. Today I thank him for his service to our country and pray God will keep him out of harm’s way.
Email Betty Heath at begeheath@aol.com.
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July 05, 2020 at 06:57PM
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Betty Heath: First loves matter - Longmont Times-Call
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