True stories from childhood - Vol. 1, "The Smooch"

For the next few posts, I would like to share with you some of my favorite events from childhood. Being surrounded by my kids, I often think back to that time period.

When I was in kindergarten, I took the bus. It was one of those smaller "mini" busses which means there weren't many seats. My house was one of the last stops on the driver's route so I didn't usually have much of a choice when it came to seating. On the first day of school, there was only one seat left open. It was next to another kindergartener. Her name was Jennifer. I sat down next to her and didn't say a single word, all the way to school.

As the year went on, I quickly began to realize that I was quite smitten with Jennifer. Even though it wasn't technically "cool" to talk to or play with girls, I often tried to make certain that I was in whatever play group she was in.

Our classroom didn't have desks. There were several large tables for the children to sit at. Eventually, I maneuvered my seating assignment so that my seat would be directly across from Jennifer's. From the bus, to playtime, to lessons, Jennifer just couldn't get away from me. As I look back now, that sounds a little creepy, but she didn't seem to mind.

Finally, after months of pent-up emotion, I decided that I was going to give Jennifer a kiss. I was quite brazen about it. While Mrs. Durso, our teacher, was teaching the class, I decided to dive across the table and kiss Jennifer, which took everyone by surprise. Emboldened by the success of my first attempt (and the lack of revulsion on Jennifer's face) I decided to do it again. Then a third time. Finally, Mrs. Durso stopped me and I was sternly warned that she was going to tell my parents. I was worried.

Every day from that point on, I wondered when she would tell them. My Mom never said anything. Neither did my Dad. I knew my doomsday was going to eventually come, but no one said a word.

When the school year was over, I worked up the nerve to ask my Dad if he knew. "Dad," I asked, "did Mrs. Durso ever tell you that I kissed Jennifer?" He was sitting in his recliner at the time and looked me in the eyes. I truly wondered if I was about to get in trouble, but I had to know if he knew. I couldn't take wondering any longer.

My Dad stared at me, then smiled. "Johnny," he said, "Mrs. Durso told me all about it. And....I have never been more proud of you."

Not long ago, my Grandmother came across a picture of my kindergarten glass and she showed it to my wife, Andrea. Andrea scanned the picture for a moment and then asked me, "So, is this one Jennifer?" She had heard this story a million times. The funny thing was that she was right.

"How did you know?," I asked. Andrea replied, "I just picked the girl that looked most like me."

True story.