First Kiss

 Originally Published Dec. 2012                                                      

The fourth of July.  Ah….. the fourth of July.  My hometown of Forest Lake had always produced a July 4^thcelebration that was the greatest event of the summer.  Heck – of the year!  Everyone in the whole town always looked forward to the three-hour parade, the carnival, the foot-long hot dogs and a huge fireworks display at the end of the day. 

My folks owned the roller rink located next to the lake.  Coincidently, it was also located just across the street from the carnival.  Mom and dad would open the rink immediately after the parade ended and close it at 10:00 at night – right when the fireworks started.  One could buy a ticket to skate for 25 cents and skate for as long as you wanted.  Then, when you wanted to take a break and maybe go to the carnival or just hang out with your friends and get some popcorn or a snow cone, mom would stamp your hand and you could actually come back and skate some more later on.  All for 25 cents!  No wonder they didn’t strike it rich!  But, it was a safe and fun environment for all and they continued this tradition for the 14 years they owned the roller rink.

And now, I want to tell you what happened on one particular 4^th of July in 1958.  I had just turned 14 the month before and would be entering high school in September.  This was the summer I fell in love.  His name was Mike.  An “older” boy – of 16.  Black hair – combed into a ducktail.  He wore white t-shirts and low-rider jeans.  He had a car – a 1955 Chevy – that he would cruise throughout the town several times a night.  Oh, did I mention that he was just absolutely the most gorgeous creature ever created?  Wonderful smile.  Straight, white teeth.  And beautiful eyes with the longest eye lashes.  Yes, I was in love.

The fact that I was just 14 and would not be allowed to date for another two years didn’t stop me from falling in love.  Mike would ask me to skate with him during a “couple skate” and, of course, I always did.  

Mike had other followers – or love interests, however.  One in particular – Joan – was my biggest competitor for his attention.   She was my age – but allowed to date!  She also didn’t have both her mom and dad watching her every move at the roller rink!  So, she had it made. 

Well, back to July 4, 1958.  My best friend, Phyllis, and I decided to take a break from skating and go to the carnival.  While waiting in line to get our tickets, we found ourselves standing behind Mike and his friend, Leon.  Well – wouldn’t you know it?  Phyllis had a secret crush on Leon – another Frenchman like Mike who had black hair and dark eyes and was almost ---- almost ---- as cute as Mike.  Anyway, Mike and Leon immediately grabbed our hands and said, “Let’s go on the airplane ride.”  

I was in heaven!  The airplane only held two people, of course.  Just me and Mike.  Mike and me.  Could the day get any better?  Well, yes, it could.  And, it did.  We had a great time talking and laughing during our little airplane ride when all of a sudden, Mike leaned over ever so slowly and kissed me.  On the lips.  This was a kiss that lasted all of three seconds.  But, it was a kiss!  This counted in my book!  To this day, I have no idea if Mike was aware of the fact that he was my “First Kiss.” 

Well, that kiss certainly sealed my love for Mike.  The next week after that unforgettable 4^th of July, my family went on a week-long vacation to the Black Hills.  I, of course, did not want to go on the trip because I would be leaving Mike.  Remember, I was not allowed to date; but, that didn’t matter.  I just knew that if I was absent for a week, Mike would forget me and end up going steady with Joan!  I just knew it.

My parents were adamant that I go on the trip and have a good time.  I was just as adamant to NOT have a good time.  I sulked in the back seat of the car the whole way to Deadwood, South Dakota.  I wouldn’t even look out the window.  Even stopping at Wall Drug didn’t change my disposition.  I was a brat.  I’ve often wondered how many times my dad wanted to stop the car and tell me to get out.  I remember going horseback riding in the hills.  I didn’t learn until years later that my mom told the horse trainer to tell me that my horse’s name was Mike.  That was the only day out of seven that I was in a good mood and was civil to my family.  I really was horrible to everyone.

Somehow, I (or rather my family) survived the vacation and we soon were back in Forest Lake.  I went skating the first night we were home – hoping to see the love of my life.  Sure enough…. I found him.  He was with his new steady girlfriend.  That’s right….. Joan!  My prediction had come true!

As it turned out, when I finally was allowed to date two years later, Mike and I ended up going steady – for about two weeks.  We remained good friends throughout high school and he eventually went to Vietnam.  The last time I saw him was at the roller rink in 1966 when I was helping my parents with the Skating show they produced every year.  He still had black hair and a smile that wouldn’t quit.  One never forgets her first love!