Homecoming

I've been so caught up in telling the story of me and Mike that I have neglected a very relevant sub-story. You may recall that my original invitation to Mike was partially motivated by my daughter's Homecoming football game. This year was more exciting than ever because Darcie would be going on her first real date. I knew I would be teary-eyed (remember, I'm an emotional Italian).

Friday was Ranger day at Jesuit - a day of fun and games involving both Jesuit and Ursuline (Darcie's school) students. The school day ended early so Darcie and some of her friends, including her date, congregated at our house before the big game. Mike and I had a blast talking with them. We both felt so young again. We were sitting at the fireplace holding hands when Darcie's best friend, Amanda said, "Oh, look how cute they are. They've only been together 24 hours and they're already holding hands!" I busted out laughing. Only 24 hours! I had been waiting 30 years!

An annual Texas-style barbeque is part of the Homecoming tradition at Jesuit so Mike and I headed to the high school. I had attended 6 of these alone and I have to say, it was so much more fun with Mike by my side. After dinner, we walked to the stadium and set up our seats in my usual place near the band. As other parents trickled in they were surprised to see me with someone. I was giddy as I introduced Mike, whose hand I was still holding, by the way. There was just no wiping the happiness off my face. We explained that we were old high school buddies but the looks we got back were skeptical. I think we looked like more than buddies by this time. When Mike went to the concession stand, all the mom's said how gorgeous he was and how happy I looked.

Near the end of the third quarter we decided to stretch our legs a bit so we went for a walk. We walked along the fence through the masses of students until we reached the corner of the end zone. We stood facing each other and Mike took both my hands in his. Suddenly, we were the only two people in the world. There was no football game, there was no band, there was no mass of students anywhere near. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest as I gazed into Mike's eyes like a moonstruck teenager. He took my face in his hands and finally, unbelievably, he kissed me. And I felt nothing, empty, what was the big deal.

Just kidding. For the first time in my life I understood the phrase, "the earth moved". I actually trembled. I could barely keep my knees from buckling beneath me. Forget self-control. I was lost!

Back in Time

This blogging process is taking a little longer than I had hoped so I am going to speed the story line a bit. I will add details in future posts if they are relevant to the present.

In light of the escalated story, it's time to take a step back for a little more background. Mike, Paul and I became pretty good friends during the school year '74-'75. Mike was crowned Homecoming King while I sat with his sister and watched and mooned (does that word still mean the same thing these days?).
Mike's sister, who was a sophomore, and I played basketball together but I never spoke of my crush on her brother. Mike and I continued to study Chemistry together and continued to have profound and heartfelt discussions. Still, he didn't ask me out and still, I just smiled and resigned myself to being his friend and confidante. Mike and Paul graduated in May of '75. Paul and I kept in touch over the summer but I didn't see Mike before he left for college.

Then in the summer of '77, I was living in an apartment off-campus and lo and behold Mike came back into my life. I stayed in Florida to go to college and I didn't live too far from our hometown. Paul and Mike would come to see me and we would go to soccer games and discos (remember those?). At the time, I was too self-conscious to enjoy dancing (although I had 13 years of ballet training) but I would have gone anywhere with Mike. The drinking age was 18 back then so we all did our share of partying. I wouldn't call it dating because we were always with a group but Mike and I got closer than I could have ever dreamed. Then he left for college and dropped out of my life once more.

I Can't Believe You Called

After I hit Send on my reply email, I went into the kitchen to prepare dinner for my daughter and myself. Only about 10 minutes had passed when my phone rang. I answered it without checking the caller ID and was stunned to hear the voice of my old friend.

Let me pause the story to give a little background info. Mike and I had attended the same high school in Florida and although he was a year ahead of me - I was a junior and he, a senior - we met in Chemistry class. Since both of us were conscientious students we agreed to study together. He would come to my house and we would study in the living room, taking occasional breaks to have heart-to-heart chats. I had a boyfriend at another high school and Mike had a girlfriend who was in college. Mike was the traditional BMOC - gorgeous, smart, star athlete. And talk about chemistry! Of course I had a huge crush on him, despite my having a boyfriend, but it was the 70's and "good girls" didn't initiate anything in those days, so all I could do was smile and try to be charming. I assumed I didn't stand a chance anyway, so I settled for a good, solid friendship (all the while, smiling and being charming - it couldn't hurt, could it?). Meanwhile, Mike's best friend Paul was dating one of my close friends so Paul and I became fast friends as well.

At the risk of causing whiplash from traveling so quickly through time, I am switching back from 1974 to 2005. Yes, eventually I will catch up to the actual present but I am new to this blog thing and figured a general timeline, albeit disjointed, would be helpful.

October 2005 - A smile immediately spread across my face as I recognized Mike's deep, sexy voice. Even after all these years, it was unmistakable. I was bubbling with excitement. "Oh, my gosh. It's so great to hear from you. How long's it been - like 27 years or something? I can't believe you actually called me."

And So Began My Long Distance Love

It's been a little over a year now since that evening in October of 2005 when I opened my email to find the following:

Hey Stranger,

This is a blast from the past. Paul and I had a great time at our reunion, and when I requested that the DJ play "Feelings" by Barry Manilow in honor of Paul, my thoughts fell back to you.

We were reminiscing about what a special friend you were to both of us, and so I thought I'd send you a note. I know Paul has already insisted that he be your date to your 30th reunion next year, so I know that I'm out of the running for that.

But I hope you're doing well. I've thought of you often through the years, and wish only the best for you.

Would love to hear from you.

Take care,
Mike


Despite the rapid beating of my heart and the excitement that flowed through me like electric current through a wire, I quickly tapped out a reply.

Hi Mike,

So great to hear from you. You can’t imagine how much I wanted to go to your reunion. I would LOVE to see you!

My son just got his first apartment at school and it makes me think of my own apartment way back when. Do you remember the fun we used to have there? I miss those days.

Why don’t you come to Dallas to see me? The weather is just starting to cool off so it’s not unbearably hot. We could go to the high school football game – my daughter’s in the band. It could be great fun!!!!!!

Call me. 972.555.7426 home; 214.555.8763 cell.

Miss ya,
AC

P.S. you’re never out of the running. ;>)

Little did I know that I was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!