First

I remember my first kiss almost vividly.

It was Friday October 24th of my sophomore year of high school. The cutest guy in the whole school had asked me to be his girlfriend, and I practically said “Heck yes!” There was a home game for the varsity football team that night, and because it was so cold I grabbed my favorite blanket and headed out the door. I met my new bf and we found our seats. Unfortunately the spots behind us didn’t fill up fast enough and soon appeared my brother Luke and his friend Erik. Normally this would have been fine, but since they knew that I was with my boyfriend they had to undertake the task of yelling “hand check” every two minutes. Oh joy. I can’t remember what team we played against or who won the game that night because I was so distracted by his hand, so warm holding mine. I felt like I was on top of the world, or at least at the top of the stands! And nothing really mattered because I had a boyfriend, and I just might get my first kiss tonight.

My house at the time was only two blocks away from the school, which meant a quick walk home from the game. However, the boyfriend and I walked slowly; my blanket wrapped around me, plus the warmth and weight of his arm around my waist. The closer we got to my back gate, the more nervous I got. What if I have bad breath? What if I can’t kiss right? What if I chicken out, or start laughing? We approached the little grassy patch next to the garage and I stood on it, raised 2 feet from the sidewalk. We wasted awkward time with small talk and said how we’d miss each other over the weekend, yada yada. Finally I said an extremely uncomfortable “well, good night,” and turned to walk inside, but my arm was grabbed, I was turned around, and the most glorious smile pulled me in.

I have no idea what outfit he was wearing, nor do I remember what I was wearing, but I can’t forget the smile on his face. His head was slightly cocked to the left, his flamed beanie on tight. He held my hands and gave me courage. When he pulled me in for my first kiss, I was on cloud nine! I remember walking through the back door, mumbling something to my mom about the game, and then running past my brother and his friend to avoid being questioned. I will never forget how warm I felt in his arms, and how safe it was to be held.

I’m confident that no matter how old I get, and how much time passes me in life, I won’t forget his beautiful green eyes and shining smile. The first kiss on that cool night was the beginning of something amazing, something that I could never have expected. Who’d have known: I married the man that gave me my first kiss!