Once upon a
time, I played Cyrano De’Bergerac, kind of. I was 9 going on 10. At Vacation
Bible School. I had a crush on a boy. We’ll call him Brian. Brian had a crush
on Liz. Brian and I became pals in our four days together and I learned about
his crush. I was saddened, but did not give up our friendship. Ever the
wordsmith, I offered to write her a love note for him to send to her. In
exchange, he would do my weaving project. And I secretly hoped my letters
would help him realize that he had a crush on me and not Liz.
It is funny to think as a 9 year old I had such a romantic notions and that I was brave enough to hide behind the curtain of friendship pining away while pouring my heart on paper. For someone else.
It also makes me wonder why, when it was just four days together, did this moment become so engrained in my memory that I am able to recall the weather, the dress, and my shoes from a summer 24 years ago.
Brian certainly wasn't my first crush, which surprises me a little... why did I want to be in love so much? Was I so swayed by Disney princess? Probably. And the few "adult" movies I was allowed to watch - Splash, Roxanne, and Princess Bride (Cary Elwes & Fred Savage!!).
I am quite sure Brian was the last boy I "actively" (technically passively) pursued. Insert mom's voice here "Nice girls don't call boys." Until I was in college.
Who was your first crush? Do boys have crushes that young or is it just girls?
