Third Grade pt 3 - Life Lesson The First Kiss

I'm going to wrap up the third grade story of Annie today. I think back to these events and how they shaped me. I honestly giggle when I think about them. I will talk about my first kiss and seven minutes in heaven in this blog.

Okay...seven minutes in heaven...a little game that we played when I was in third grade at Annie's birthday party. My friend Mark helped set this up and it's probably one of the only things he ever helped me out with (probably the only thing he helped me with). Of course after presents (I got her a heart necklace) and cake we kids were playing around. This landed us in her bedroom, I believe there were about seven or eight of us, maybe more. We were just being goofy kids. I remember she had a Chicago poster on the wall and I thought it was cool, because I loved the Chicago Cubs (this was the band Chicago, which I would learn about later in life). All of the sudden my friend Mark whispers a question to me about playing seven minutes in heaven with Annie. I didn't know what this was so he explained it. It's where you get locked in the closet with a girl and you stay in there with her for seven minutes. I was game...he asked who I wanted to be in there with...Annie...duh!

So, Annie and I get razzed by our peers and off we go to the closet. She had a huge walk-in closet and it was well organized. All of the sudden it was quiet and I was aware of the fact it was just us. There were oohs and ahs from outside the closet, and the occasional heckling. I didn't let that phase me. I really have no clue how long we were in the closet, but I know I wanted it to last forever. It's weird, we just talked and looked at her board games and she showed me her shoes and dresses. It was all very innocent, and I didn't quite understand the concept of the game (maybe this is why I never played this game again), however it was so great to spend that time with her...just me...just her...

I remember being one of the last kids to be picked up from her house that day. It was a good day, a really good day.

So you all thought that my first kiss was during this game. It actually came weeks later on the playground during morning recess. I had chased the girls (but singled out Annie of course) and we were just hanging out by the dome shaped monkey bar thing that was at the edge of the parking lot (remember we had a playground in the parking lot). It was about time for the bell to sound and get lined up to go back to class. I had finally gotten up the nerve to kiss her (I had been holding her hand for weeks). I leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Her reaction is priceless now, but was not what I expected when I was nine years old. She said yuck, spit and ran away. I still remember how funny she ran, I think mostly because she had these awkward long legs. I was heartbroken, my world was devastated. How could I face her and my friends after this? Well, the next day we were holding hands on recess and she reached over and kissed me on the cheek.

My first kiss...nothing grotesque...all so innocent and cute. I know you were hoping for something juicy...those stories are later...

Third Grade pt 1 - Life Lesson Sharing Time

I have lots of fond memories of the third grade. I started showing hogs in 4H, I had a sweet perm on the back half of my hair, and I went on my first date. I remember recess was split on two different playgrounds during the third grade. In the morning we went to the east side of the grade school in the parking lot (more or less) and in the afternoon we went to the actual playground with grass!

I developed my first real serious crush in the third grade. This girl would have a major influence on the physical attributes of all women who would follow her. It may seem strange, and it is a little weird to write about, but she is one of four or five women who have influenced relationship decisions for my entire life. I can still remember her phone number from grade school and her birthday. She moved away after the fourth grade, but I still after all these years later remember her. Some may think that is sad or pathetic, to me it has allowed me the introspection to understand my development, especially as it relates to my relationships with the opposite gender.

Her name was Annie. She was tall, long dark hair, slender build (weren't we all back then?) dark complected, and a smile that would stop me in my tracks (actually make me a bumbling idiot). She was sweet, nice, smart, and interesting. However, she was clumsy, ungraceful, and awkward (again, weren't we all at this age?).

This particular story is about sharing time with a friend of mine. We shared the girl we both coveted. I "went out" with her during morning recess and he "went out" with her during afternoon recess. This arrangement was agreed upon by all three parties, however my friend Jackson and I weren't real keen on the arrangement. We did go along with it, cause let's face it, she made a great argument for why it was necessary (girls are smarter than boys, we all know this, and she was sneaky smart). We used to cheat in class (sorry teach). I would share my math work and she would share spelling. I did throw a spelling bee one time so she could win. Chivalry, I know.

Anyways, one afternoon, after I had my time in the morning, she and Jackson were enjoying the day. A large group decided to play a game of Red Rover. I know you remember Red Rover, Red Rover, let Delton come over. If not, we should play sometime, it's great fun! So, as it was, I had my pack of friends and Jackson had his. We lined up across from each other, and who should be invite over...Annie. And where did she choose to charge...at me of course. Now she didn't break through so as is customary in the game, you must latch arms with the person who blocked you. So, here are Annie and I holding hands during afternoon recess, I was on borrowed time.

As the game went along, Annie was retrieved back from the other side and then I was called over. I went right between Jackson and Annie. This time, I had no intention of breaking through. I wanted to be in between them. So was my strategy, and of course it paid off. I was holding hands with Annie and Jackson. He was furious. I was enjoying every minute, until...Jackson started squeezing my hand so hard I thought my fingers were going to shoot out of my hand. I knew I had to get out of this situation and soon let someone break through to take me back to my side.

I don't remember who won the game, but I do know that after the epic battle, Annie was mine for both recesses. I had won, and it felt good.

Second Grade - Life Lesson Attitude is Sexy

Second grade was a huge jump for me socially. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loathed it at the same time. This was a tumultuous time on the play ground for me. I of course chased the girls, until they would pack up and then chase me. I would have a gaggle of girls chasing me by the end of recess. I remember the leader of the pack, Mindy. She was a cute girl with some attitude. Actually, she still has that same attitude, which is and has been a sexy trait that I have been attracted to.

So as recess would go, I would usually spend the first half chasing the girls, playing on the monkey bars, and maybe swinging for a bit. This day is clear in my mind like it happened yesterday. I recall this all the time and brings a great big smile to my face. I had upset the balance and the girls decided they would gang up on me. Mindy was the leader of the pack and they had cornered me between them and the brand new slide. I told them they had better stop, or I was going to do something drastic. This of course didn't stop them. I told them, don't take another step, or it would be bad news. They called my bluff. I picked up a patch of dried concrete next to the new slide and said..."If you take one more step, Mindy gets it." She took one step forward, and I threw the rock on her toes. Sure did, true story! She of course was angry. She went and told our teacher, who had it out for me. I still remember though. I got a talking to, no paddle, not even the principal. I am sure, I weaseled my way out of it. I did have a reputation of telling the truth.

Another story I like to tell about second grade, is going to the restroom. First of all, we had restrooms in our classroom. We actually shared with the class next door. I remember there were two toilets in these restrooms, and they faced each other. So you always had a pooping partner. We were in the second grade and never thought much about it. I remember my pooping partner one time was a girl name Jessie. I have no clue how we ended up in the bathroom together. If we snuck in or if we were assigned. I really haven't a clue. I do know, I had a super crush on Jessie. I flirted with her a lot, and I used my superior intellect show off in class. I don't think she realized it was all for her, but it was.

Back to Mindy. I had a huge crush on her, but she was always mean to me. I am sure it had something to do with throwing the rock on her foot. I also shoved her off of my well house at my 8th birthday party. She wouldn't jump. What was I gonna do. I broke her Jellies. Not sure if you remember these shoes, but they were the bomb dot com back in the day. She didn't speak to me for a while, but we are still good friends today.

I will say, I suppose I always had a super crush on her. I love the way she carries herself and the fact that she could beat me up. It was her confidence and attitude that was so sexy. I never realized that until recently. I didn't get it in second grade. I get it now. Confidence is a smokin' hot trait.