Scrapbook Saturday

Our AYM theme this year is "The Wonder Years." This month, it was my pick. I decided on: Who was your first crush? Everybody remembers their first crush! There were a few moans and groans from the girls--which I expected. I always want to make everybody really think and be creative. Everyone has a story to tell! I told them that there were ways to find photos--check out your class composites from picture day or neighborhood photos from when you were a kid. Butch even found some high school classmates by going to his high school website. And then there's social media. It might take a little work, but you can find things.

Janet sent me her layout:

This is my layout and story: 

Who was your first crush? 

That would be my 7th-grade boyfriend who didn't know he was my boyfriend!

Let me tell you about my 7th-grade boyfriend who didn’t know he was my boyfriend.

It all started at Camp Hawk in the summer of 1964. Basically, I was a tomboy—in a neighborhood full of boys. Sure I liked some of them, but nothing heart-stopping—until—I saw this boy at Camp Hawk. He was cute. I had a crush! I could say “end of story” right there, but there’s way more to it than that! To say I had a crush on him is an understatement. I had fallen, head-over-heels, follow you to the ends of the earth—love!! I couldn’t get him out of my mind. I found out his name—Phil Lambert—and where he lived—about a mile from us. Other than that, I knew he went to the public school only because if he’d gone to St. Aloysius, I would have known.

Anyway, Reenie and I rode our bikes by his house several times. I probably would have died if I’d actually seen him then. Instead, I saw him every day at camp. The boys and girls didn’t really interact with each other, so there was no opportunity to get to know him. But, then came my chance. This summer of 1964, Camp Hawk was having a “Sadie Hawkins” day race. I didn’t know anything about Sadie Hawkins, but it had something to do with chasing boys and catching the love of your life. All I knew was that I was going to be able to chase and catch Phil! I couldn’t wait. When the day arrived, the boys were all lined up with all the girls in a row behind. The boys took off running first, while we girls had to wait a bit. I didn’t know if any of the other girls were after Phil, but I knew I’d be running faster than ever before in my life! There was no way any other girl was going to beat me to him. The girls took off. I ran my little heart out. When I got close and knew I was about to catch him, I’m not sure what came over me. I guess I wanted him to know how athletic I was. So, this neighborhood tomboy, football-playing “girl” tackled him! I have no idea how he felt about that, but he was MINE!! 

After the race, there was a dance. So, we danced together exactly once. It was probably the most awkward slow dance of my life. I cannot recall what our conversation was about—or if we even had one. But knowing me, I’m sure I asked a lot of questions. The only bit of information that I can remember coming away with was that he was also Catholic. He and his family went to 6:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday. You know what that meant. I, too started going to 6:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday! I’m sure my parents thought I was nuts. Or probably, the truth is that Ronnie and the twins told them that I had a crush on a boy! As I've said before, there are no secrets in a large family. But, if they only knew. Phil wasn’t just a “boy”—he was THE boy!! 

I don’t remember when that crush petered out—probably when I moved on to the next one. Who that was I have no idea. You only have ONE first crush! But to think that my 7th-grade boyfriend who didn’t know he was my boyfriend never even knew my passion for him, because—well—he didn’t even know he was my boyfriend!

Fast forward to 2020. Phil “friended” me on Facebook. I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited, I went running to tell Butch. Even though it’s been at least 55 years since I’d seen him, I guess I made a bigger impression on him than I thought!!