Today’s writing challenge is to discuss your first love and your first kiss. This one will be short because it’s not something I’m comfortable discussing outside of generalizations. I don’t get personal with too many people, and these are definitely personal memories. And something really big happened today, which makes this seem not as fun.

My first kiss was with a guy named Chris. I think I was in 8th grade. I thought he was really cute and so had the requisite crush. I’d like to say the kiss was magical and foot-popping (The Princess Diaries, anyone?). It wasn’t. It was sloppy and wet and awkward and I didn’t see it as something I wanted to do much of. I don’t recall our “relationship” going much beyond that so I guess it wasn’t actually that world shattering for him either.

I met my first love in 11th grade. We were in marching band together. He bore a striking resemblance to John Cusack, upon whom I’d had a mad crush since I was 12. Pretty typical of high school romances, we were on again/off again/on again/off again…total roller coaster. My friends told me I should stay away from him, he was using me blah blah blah. I had one or two other boyfriends for the rest of high school. Those relationships fizzled because I kept comparing them to HIM. My friends were right, I can admit that now, all these years late with the wisdom of hindsight.

One of my best friends called me a few minutes ago. She is on her way home. Her husband passed away today. She is holding it together right now. I wouldn’t expect anything else. She is one of the strongest, most focused people I know. She’ll let everyone around her fall apart and she’ll piece them back together before she lets herself breakdown. I’m heartbroken for her right now. I don’t know what to do for her. This daily writing challenge seems pretty frivolous but I’ll keep doing it to keep my own sense of balance and normalcy.

Tell your loved ones you love them. Tell them you appreciate them. Hell, tell them you’re frustrated with them. Don’t let those opportunities slip by. You don’t know when there won’t be anymore.