Originally posted by nalani
When I was 11, we moved to a new area and neighborhood - a lot of people moved in at the same time (it was a new Hawaiian Homes project - almost like the cross between an Indian reservation and track housing) ... anyway, Joey moved in at the same time from another island. We were great friends for about 2 years then we became "boyfriend and girlfriend". We used to skateboard together, hang out and talk, walk down to the river, do homework together ... he was my best friend .. my first french kiss, my first "real" slow dance ... my first not-like-holding-hands-with-your-parents experience.
He died on April 1, 1983. I still miss him.
You gave me the chills when I read that last line. Now I'm getting them again as I type.
I just realized I never answered my own questions...
When I was 16 I met Chris Vitale, this guy who was a year older than me and just beautiful. He asked me to his Junior Prom. That was my first slow dance (Teacher by George Michael) and I was so nervous because in all the excitement, I didn't realize I didn't know how to slow dance. I still get embarrassed thinking about it.
He asked me out, I wore his HS ring and we were inseperable for 6 months. He was my first french kiss (another moment that makes me cringe in embarrassment when I think of it), my first infatuation, and my first can't-eat-can't-sleep-feel-like-your-heart-is-broken-forever breakup. I have never felt as devastated breaking up with anyone since.
We remained friends over the next year but not really close like we had been till one day he showed up at my house. He had just gotten home from school and found his Dad in the garage, dead. He had been depressed and committed suicide. At the wake, his Mom told me that his Dad always liked me best. That was a tough one. Chris got married, has kids, and lives in Arizona somewhere-my friend Kim's brother is friends with Chris' brother. I haven't seen him in 12 years but I still think about him every now and then.