Forty Years

In the summer of 1976 I was an average looking girl with long straight brown hair. I wore little or no makeup and my skin was pale and freckly. I used to notice Jimmy Riddle coming out of the classroom next to mine at Woodson High School. I recall many times walking behind him as we maneuvered through the crowded hallway. He was tall and thin with long wavy hair and he wore converse tennis shoes. I used to go to the neighborhood park with friends and many times I would see him engrossed in a basketball game. He seemed confident and a little cocky at times. Over the summer my friend, Michel, who lived behind me introduced me to Jimmy at the pool. We would flirt and talk. Then on June 25th of that summer Jimmy kissed me at a party at Bill Pickford's house. That is the day we started dating. That was forty years ago. Where does the time fly. The two of us have survived several break ups, graduated from college, went on to marry, had two daughters, one cat and three dogs. We have had our share of challenges along the way but I am glad I face these challenges with such a great man. I am glad he never gave up on me all those years ago. He is a fighter.