Yesterday, I was checking out the Classmates.com website and noticed that they’ve added my elementary school on there. I was perusing the names and a couple of them really brought back some memories, none more than Gail Leach, a girl 3 years older than me that I was in love with in 5th grade (Guess I’ve always liked older women). So that got me thinking about the first crush I’ve ever had…
Her name was Bethellen Hawkes and we were in second grade at Griffin Memorial School. My mother used to babysit a kid named Craig Aussant and one day we were on the playground and he said “Look at Beth, she’s so pretty”. I looked and suddenly the wind starting blowing ever so gently through her hair, and somewhere in the heavens a chorus of angels started singing. From that moment on and for about the next two or three years, Bethellen Hawkes was the object of my tender childhood affection. I was infatuated with her. I used to worship her from afar. I would sit in class and steal glances at her when she wasn’t looking. I never missed an opportunity to show off in front of her. I used to ride my bike by her house and try to act nonchalant. About the only thing I didn’t do was talk to her. In fact, I don’t think she ever even knew that I had a crush on her. When you’re that young and you have a crush on someone, usually all you do is tease them. I never did that though, I was way too scared.
Once, in 3rd grade, Beth caught me picking my nose in class and went “Oh, gross!” and walked away in disgust. I was absolutely devastated. There was no way she would ever talk to me after that I thought. But I didn’t give up.
Another time, during Valentine’s Day in 4th grade, Mrs. Clapp made everyone in the class give a little paper valentine to each classmate (Remember those?). So I did mine and when I was done, I had 3 leftover. So I promptly put them in the little envelopes, gave two to Bethellen and one to her best friend, Michelle Wharton. Even back then I was smart enough to try to get in good with the best friend. My gesture was never acknowledged however and I was heartbroken.
Eventually I forgot all about Bethellen and moved on. Last I knew, I think she had a baby in high school and ended up marrying the father. I have no idea where she is today, but in my mind, she’ll always be the cute, sweet little girl that I had my first crush on so many years ago.
Ah, the things you remember…
Rik
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7 comments:
"Once, in 3rd grade, Beth caught me picking my nose in class and went “Oh, gross!” and walked away in disgust. I was absolutely devastated."
OMG Rik, this is so funny! Haha! And you still remember the full names and every detail, that's impressive!
My first real crush was in 5th grade. His name was Wilfredo, let's call him Will. He was my classmate, and he was the brightest of all in the class, our class president albeit he was not that good looking. But I don't know, his brains looked handsome! I got over it when I moved to high school because then the school I went to have exclusive girls (and exclusive boys) for high school. He went to the exclusive boys which is far out campus, so the fantasy died.
My next crush-over was in high school with this guy called Benjamin, they call him Benjie. The reason why I liked him was because he looked like Paul McCartney, my rock star idol at that time. I even have a huge poster of Paul in my bedroom ceiling, so I can stare at him in bed while I doze away to sleep. I know, I am so strange worshipping someone who lived in the 60's, and it was the 80's!
My first crush was Heather Garrett back when I was in first grade. I moved after that year and never saw her again until my senior year in college when the campus news rag was holding the messiest dorm contest and she had won. I sent her an email saying who I was and she sent one back saying she faintly remembered me. I was all excited about that and being single and all, was thinking about how to respond next when the very next day I got an email from her saying that she doesn't want me to contact her anymore per her fiance's wishes. So I went from first crush to my (almost) first restraining order.
DP - Do you mean to tell me that you didn't have your first crush on anyone until the 5th grade?! BTW, you do know that Paul was known as "the cute Beatle"...
ED - Great story dude!
Rik
Rik,
Yeah I never had crushes before 5th grade, I mean serious ones that would make me blush when teased and hide when he is around (stupid!).
I guess I dont get to like someone THAT real fast. Even in my high school and teenage years, I seldom have crushes and when I do, it usually take years before the flame is over (or I wake up from the madness!)
FRIV - Yo called a boy? You're such a harlot.
DP - I bet all the boys had crushes on you in school, admit it...
Rik
The first crush I can recall was my friend's Italian uncle. I was maybe 5 and he was maybe 30. I had so many crushes I can't remember them all. But that drop-dead gorgeous Italian with the klieg-like smile was my first :)
If I remember right, my first true big crush was Shawn Cassidy and then Scott Baio. I always thought the boys at school were childish LOL
I would drift off to day dream during class, one cause I was sleepy staying up watching zapped again and again, ah the days of betamax. wish I had the dvd back then, no need to get up to rewind the tape.
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