My first love was a boy in my class at elementary school. His initials were ‘ME’. Mine were ‘MR’. What he saw in me I’ll never know, but he’d write our initials within a heart on the board for the whole class to see. And he wasn’t just teasing, we enjoyed each other.
He often invited me to play with him and his sister after school. Theirs was a child-oriented home with many games and books. I never forgot that and made sure my young children had them too.
When we were 10, he invited me to see ‘The Fun Parade’ with him at the Forum. We heard it on radio. (No one had TVs.) It wasn’t expensive — perhaps a dollar. We paid for our own tickets. There was a huge crowd, not much came to Montreal then.
At intermission, he jumped up like a Jack-in-the-box and announced: ‘I’m going to get you a hot dog and a coke.’ He didn’t ask, just ran off. I suppose his mom gave him money and told him to treat me. She must have been amused by the whole episode.
Unfortunately shortly after that, his family moved to Winnipeg. (That was long before computers or email.) I never saw or heard from him again. Did we ever kiss? Of course not!
When daughter Susan asked for a story about when I was young, I checked Google and learned that he, like so many of my other old friends, had died. Looking at his photo, I tried to see the young boy in his adult face. I found it impossible.
However, I was pleased and not surprised he’d obviously had an involved and worthwhile life, a lengthy marriage, and a family that loved him.
View from Over the Hill 
How sweet!
Yes, it was. I hadn’t thought about it in many years. It seems even sweeter now. Thanks for reading. Muriel
What a beautiful experience. So sorry about his passing but such wonderful memories.
I hadn’t thought trying to find him until daughter Susan recently asked for stories about when I was a child. Such is life….
Lovely. So sad, that he is no longer with us 😕.
Well, I should have looked earlier I guess. Thanks for reading. Muriel
A wonderful and poignant story.
Paul
Thanks Paul: So nice to hear from you. Take care, Muriel
Makes me think of Geoffrey Gosh — my elementary school sweetheart. Do you remember him, Maughm?
No Susan. Now YOU’LL have to tell ME about it. Ha, ha, Maughm
“What he saw in me I’ll never know” – the only words I didn’t quite understand! Lovely post otherwise. ❤️
Ah, I was a chubby kid who wore thick glasses and didn’t have enough self-confidence at the time. Love, Muriel
Awww, this is such a sweet memory. too bad you didn’t get a chance to reconnect. Didn’t know you grew up in Montreal.
Yes, I did, but moved to L.A. in my late teens because a friend told me it didn’t snow there. I hated winter. All the best, Muriel
He left you so much. Adorable.
And I’m sure he treasured all you gave to him as well. Precious. Lovely story. Thanks.
Yes, I hadn’t thought of him for many years until Susan asked me to tell her some stories about my childhood. Interesting… Thanks for reading. Muriel
I tried to look up my first crush (I was 11) but there were too many people with the same name born in the same year. I do remember my forst kiss – from a boy who chased me round a field with white nettles which I thought woud sting! ( but they don’t)
So glad I reminded you of your first crush. Isn’t it fun to think about it so much later? All the best, Muriel
Sorry, didn’t proof read – first, not forst)
Ah, Julie: I make typos all the time and never bother about correcting them. My old arthritic fingers often won’t go where I want them to. Such is life. Cheers, Muriel
Once an English teacher, always an English teacher, Muriel. I have to stop myself correcting posts on twitter. It looks bad if an author makes mistakes on line so if I see mine, I try to correct them.
I chuckled. I taught ESL, so I understand how you feel. Wait until you’re as old as I am. You’ll get used to your fingers not obeying you. Love your blog by the way. Muriel
Hi, Muriel. Good story. For how many years did you live in Montreal?
I was about 18. I fell too many times on ice and snow. I probably already had a vestibular disorder, but didn’t know what it was. So I just hated winter…. All the best, Muiel
Hi Muriel
I remember my first kiddy-romanance. His name was Gunther. I figured he liked me
when he chased me in the schoolyard and pushed my face into the snow. We were
in grade 2. Well, he showed up at school with a pretty ring for his “girlfriend”.
I took it home and showed it to my mother. It turned out to be a ruby ring he had
filched from mom’s jewellery box. My mother was on the phone to his mother right
quickly, and the ring was returned.
That was the end of the kiddy-romance.
What a wonderful story Nancy: Isn’t it great to remember these wonderful innocent early loves? I just love it. Thanks so much for sharing it. Cheers, Muriel
Ohh!! that was a real kiddy-romance
I only realize that now. Interesting, no?
Indeed
omg, Nancy — that is sooo funny! many tx, dear Muriel for your great story too — I’m forever impressed with how we can leave impressions with people that last very long, even if we meet only for an instance… he was wise beyond his years for choosing you ❤
Life is certainly an adventure. In those days, before computers or emails, it was fated for us to pass each other when we were both very young. It certainly is a pleasant memory for me today. Cheers, Muriel
Awwww… this is so sweet! Reminds me of my first love, Jon, which I often write about in my blog. But he doesn’t know. 😁😁😁 At least, you both were in love with each other. 🥰🥰🥰 Cheers, Muriel!
True, and if daughter Susan hadn’t asked me to tell her some stories from way back, I probably wouldn’t have thought about it now. It IS a nice memory. Cheers back to you, Muriel
Good thing Susan did ask you. It truly is such a nice memory. 🥰🥰🥰
Totally agree. Love that it interested you. Stay well, Muriel
Wow that is a sweet story
Glad you liked it. I enjoyed just remembering it. By now, I realize how precious it was. Thanks for reading. Muriel
O my God that is such a sweet and beautiful story. What a gorgeous experience for you both ❤️
I agree. Just regret I never contacted him when we began having computers. It would have been interesting. He was clever even as a little boy. So glad you liked it. All the best, Muriel
should have, would have, could have — but hoping all turned out well for you in the end?
Actually I didn’t do too well at choosing men to marry, but no matter. I enjoy life to the full in any case. Thanks for your interest. Muriel
This is so sweet and inspiring!
Indeed Kally: Now that I am so much older, it was nice to remember this special relationship from my childhood. Thanks for reading. Thanks for writing. All the best, Muriel