Crazy Little Thing Called Love

GENERIC DISCLAIMER: I have tried writing this post several times before but failed miserably. Not wanting to make it appear as if I am sending cryptic messages, or have the message misconstrued has left it where I began - blank. But today, yes today, I am going to finish said blog. It is what it is, and that is all.

Over a year ago I had several girlfriends over to my house for drinks. I told them to bring a couple different things:

1) Alcohol
2) A picture of their first love
and
3) the willingness to dig into their memory bank.

I was interested to know how grown women would handle talking about how they learned to love and how it  has affected them in their subsequent relationships.

I will not share what the conversation was or what it evolved in to later that evening but I will say, in the midst of laughter and stories from years past, it occurred to me that I  had some thanking to do.

(I decided not to use real names, you know who you are)
Thank you, Guy. As my first love, I realize I treated you with reckless abandonment. I was passionate, young, confused, and head-over-heels for you. Thank you for allowing me to be, as Beyonce would say, crazy in love. Yes- it was high school. I was young and you were even younger. We tested each other with heartache, jealousy and for years after we were officially broken up, unanswered questions. But, it was all worth it, because you taught me to know and understand the feeling of love. You taught me what I didn't want but most importantly, exactly what I did want. After testing my theories on two others - I finally ironed out all the wrinkles. Now, do not misunderstand. My love is not perfect but I love it that way. There are flaws and places for it to flourish but you helped me figure out the fundamentals. I thank you. I am sure KP thanks you and I know a little boy who is happy to see his mom and dad so in love, thanks you.

Now before I close, I asked my girlfriends if they still had any feelings for their first loves. Most had not seen theirs in a long time but mentioned they held a special place in their hearts for them. I completely agree. It is a different kind of love now. Not the sneak out of your house, dance on your bed kind, but the "I respect what we had and wish you the best" kind. That being said, the best kind of love is the "let's grow old together" kind.

I love you Kenny Pod. And while I am at it - I would like to thank your first love too - especially for letting you go.