The year: 1982.
I was 11 and in the 6th grade.
This was where my first real “relationship” occurred.
It happened so simply. A note was passed:
“Do you like me? Circle YES or NO.”
That was it. I officially had a “boyfriend.”
His name was Tracy and he was the mayor’s son (the mayor of a town with the population of about 85 … OK, maybe a few more … 105).
Going “steady” was equivalent to hanging out on the playground and the occasional phone call.
We had talked on the phone a few times about what records we had and if I would be going to the local fais-do-do (Cajun dance) held in the parking lot of the Catholic church in town (the only church) and what we liked to eat at the drive-in across from his house.
We were in middle school band, which included the only instrument of the recorder. You can imagine how fascinating that concert was.
But, he was already a musician … well, a drummer. Does that count? (that was a joke)
I still remember the day of the school talent show where he played with one other classmate … a guitar and drum version of Credence Clearwater Revival’s, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”. That was interesting. The guitar player got frustrated with all his mistakes and actually stopped playing. Tracy got mad and told him to keep going. I think there was actual crying that followed.
Tracy was the first boy to give me a gift. It was Christmas and he handed me a small wrapped box. It was a gold heart locket necklace. I, of course, told him I couldn’t accept it (I was classy even back then). It was too much. But, kept it anyway.
I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen … something like this.
I treasured it …
UNTIL,
that nice boy, Tracy, turned on me.
He had the audacity to break up with me not long after that necklace had been given. It may have even been in the same week.
He approached me on the playground.
He asked if he could have the locket back.
I asked why.
His answer would astound me.
He said it was to give to some other girl in the class who I don’t remember the name of.
I, without skipping a beat, said, “You want your necklace back?”
Then, I ripped the necklace from my neck, breaking it, and with it in hand, said, “Here’s your necklace.” And, then threw it at him, turned my back and walked away.
I think he did end up giving it to that girl, and they may have “gone steady” for a few weeks before that was over.
This is where it all started.
From then on, most of my break-ups looked like this (Warning: “the “A**” word is used in the proper context, referring to a donkey, but it is still said.”) :
So, I must take this time to say I’m sorry to a few … Sorry for …
throwing any of the gifts you had given me in your face,
throwing those punches that one time,
kicking that door in,
cutting your face out of all pictures and then burning them,
and the, oh so cliche’, drink in the face.
(Don’t worry. These experiences were before Beau … actually before Christ.)
I have grown up … somewhat.
Oh, for a young girl that is heartbreaking. I don't understand how the minds work for boys so young, and I wonder if that boy's mother ever found out what he did. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Wanna hear my 1982 story?
I learned to use short sentences and the big boy potty.
Ah…it's nice to know I'm not alone. =) I remember when I found out one of my more serious boyfriends was cheating on me…confronted him with it…and he said he would propose to me then and there if he could afford a ring (denied any cheating, naturally…). I said, "Oh, yea!" and took him back…and met his other girlfriend two weeks later…
I have a hard time acting Christianlinke toward him right after that…Not really proud of my actions then…
BTW — yesterday was the first day we got up that early to exercise. 😉 We nearly died, lol!
That is hilarious…..oh my word. Tooo too funny.
From the video, though….I've always thought it was interesting how a woman can get away with hitting a guy, but if he would've hit her first…jail, baby…
Still…laughing–sooo funny 🙂
I have to say girls can be just as bad sometimes in the breaking-up so they can have another guy thing.
My husband was counselor at a youth camp and he had a girl that came and asked him how she could break up with her boyfriend (one she had just started going with that week at camp mind you) and he advised wait until camp was over and it would die naturally (they were from different churches). But she said she wanted to do it now because there was another guy she was interested in at camp!
See what I mean, girls can be just as bad. lol
Thanks for the memories. I have similar experiences. I remember one experience where I was so mad at my boyfriend that while I was yelling and cussing at him, my bubble gum kept wanting to pop out of my mouth; with this added frustration, the next time it happened, I grabbed it and stuck it in my boyfriend's ear! Not one of my better moments! But I was 16!
I see that I missed out on a lot by not having the boyfriends before 'DK'. 😉
ok, first you made me feel old by saying you were in 6th grade in 1982…the year I graduated from college!
I remember that particular show very well!!
Yea, I still remember my first BIG heartbreak. I was in 10th grade. I kept the necklace!! And he married the other girl. Yep, yep, yep.
You are too funny….Flying jewelry is classic! Good move!