My concern wasn’t that we’d get caught or I’d do it wrong or that I’d freeze from an Arctic December night–
I was worried our braces would lock.
Surely that lunacy is perpetuated by parents who hope to dissuade their teens from kiss-consummating young love, but to this day–over 30 years later–I have yet to kiss anyone by rubbing my teeth against someone else’s.
Tow-headed and fine in every sense of the word, his hair caused dirty blonds to drown in a pool of envy. He had an impossibly matched pair of peridot for eyes; it was only fitting they were fringed in a tangle of freakishly long lashes. Why is it always the guys who don’t need mascara?
We arranged in advance to arrive early for our Christmas choral concert. Grasping hands for courage, in silent haste we rushed to the outside back corner of the 8th grade wing. It was then we froze, not from the chill in the air, but from icy uncertainty…we were there for One Reason and anticipation heightened our resolve to cross the unknown.
"Look, it’s a full moon," I said, even then esteeming romantic illumination.
His suave reply, "Girls always say stuff like that." Hmph…how did he know THAT? I gave him the benefit of the doubt that nerves were speaking.
We were scared we’d both turn our heads the same way–and wouldn’t that be awkward!–so we planned the direction of our tilt. We even discussed the Very Real and Present Danger of our braces welding, probably just more stalling machinations.
Time was running out.
I took out my gum (I cared more about fresh breath than I did about wrecking an arch wire) and he followed my queue. We smiled nervously on the outside, but on the inside I’m sure a swarm of butterflies were threatening to escape his body just as they were mine.
Heads in perfect tilt, both to our own right, we closed the gap between us until no space existed in between.
It was warm and wet and curious…and not quite what I expected, but not overly gross either. In coming months I would learn a better appreciation, but I think mostly I was just glad to get it over!
Looking back, it was sweet and innocent and expectant, and though orchestrated, unrehearsed. The memory is held tenderly as a rite of passage and speaks to another time, another place. I wonder if Jeff told his version of the story, how closely they’d resemble one another.
For me, it was the perfect first kiss.
Thanks, once again to Scribbit, whose monthly Write Away contests often prompt me to pen thoughts that have wandered around the ol’ PENSIEVE for years! Oh…and anyone know the origin of this post’s title? 🙂
Faith Hill song
I’ll have to write about my first kiss. It’s really a funny story.
Can’t get the song out of my head now! It’s “This Kiss”!
First of all, I have no idea what surreptitiously means. Second, my first kiss was not near as darling. It was on a bus with a guy I really did’t like much and it was gross. I think I laughed in his face. I’m so cool.
Very poetic. 🙂 Makes me smile when I think of my first kiss.
“but to this day–over 30 years later–I have yet to kiss anyone by rubbing my teeth against someone else’s.” You Rock. 😉 But you already know that!
I try hard not to think about my first kiss. And I’m not going to write a post about it. But I WILL say this. I was in 9th grade (or I think the summer after, technically) and it was at the top of the parachute ride at Six Flags over Texas, just before the parachute dropped.
Mine was at the back of a chuch, does that make it a “holy kiss?” hehehe.
Heather, Bingo…and can’t wait!
Piseco, it’s ringing in my ears, too (are you thanking me or cursing me, lol?).
Natalie, funny girl, you are. After my daughter’s critique, I changed the wording (a few times). Sounds like your kiss was still memorable :).
Karen, care to share?
Michelle, reminds me of sandpaper…ewe!
Amber, sounds veddy interesting :).
Laurel, sounds good to me ;).
Well, ah, yeah, it’s Faith Hill, “This Kiss.” Love that song!
I’m kind of with Amber, I’d rather not remember my first kiss in the basement of someone’s house at a boy/girl party. The boy and I never spoke again after that. It was just terrible. So terrible, in fact, that I’ve never even told the story to my husband. Ugh.
Robin,
I loved this post! There goes one argument to my daughter about not kissing guys. She’s not dating til 50 anyways….Dad’s rule.
Very enjoyable, cute, witty and funny post. These reminiscent posts seem to be your forte. Maybe cuz you just cut loose and write.
Loved this post! My first real kiss was on a canal boat during a holiday in England with an “older” guy, my cousin’s 16 year old friend. It was a summer of many discoveries.
I can’t remember my first kiss – only because it was so bad that I glamorised it OR it never really happened and I imagined it.
My latest kiss, however, was wonderful.
Absolutely Faith Hill! Love that song…. My dh was my first kiss 🙂 Highschool sweethearts and still just as much in love today! But yeah, first kisses aren’t nearly as good as the ones that follow 😉
VERY beautiful prose! I could feel the butterflies in my own tummy!!!
Lovin’ it. Hope you win! I can’t decide whether to write a post for this or not. I am getting so much done ignoring my blog this week. Life is getting organized again – until I read your post and now I am inspired to get back in the game! Love the cow picture too. Great shot.
Oh I love that song! That was a sweet story too. My first kiss was with the boy I ended up marrying, who knew all those years ago that first would be last too :)I may have to write about it now
So sweet! (Can’t remember my first kiss but have a feeling it was with a real dork. I probably was one too though!)
Oh, does this bring back memories!
brings out my memories — 8th grade, the end of school year.
he had wavy blond hair — and heavy lidded eyes. (heck what does that mean)
It was quick and I wonder if I put my fingers up to my lips and then looked at them.
You cracked me up with the moon line–I think I said something like that too!
Shelly, I guess technically my first (cheek) kiss was playing spin-the-bottle with 3 classmates (2 girls, 2 boys) in a barn at the park. It was embarrassingly forgettable, so for the most part, I have. Looks like there as many “bad” memories of first kisses as there are “good” :/.
Dillo, I totally understand the thing with your daughter; mine’s an almost 16 and still VERY sweet! And thanks for your VERY kind words! 🙂
Emma, now THAT sounds like a story that must be written and shared!!!!
Jeanie, awwww…so sweet (as they should be!)
Herb of Grace, practice makes perfect, huh? 😉
Joy, thank you!
Sarah, it’s all that outside livin’ you’ve been doing (bravo, chicka!) :).
Marmite, DO WRITE @ IT! But I have a question–is he the ONLY kiss of yours???
Amanda, two negatives make a positive?? 🙂
Hulagirl, I’m waiting on you to share. Details, please :).
Pamela, “heavy-lidded” is writer speak; I have a vision of what you’re talkin’ about…wonder if I’m anywhere in the ballpark, you finger-kisser, you!
Michelle, that’s one of the most vivid parts of my memory!
I didn’t participate in this, but I have written a post about my first kiss in the past…you can find it here: http://candidkarina.blogspot.com/2007/11/all-boys-first-kiss.html
My story is not nearly as nice to remember as yours is though! 😉
Love that song, by the way.
Aww! I don’t know of many planned first kisses – you guys must have been pretty good friends! Most folks I know pretend it’s not their first – wanting to be experienced and all . . .
Having a braces while you kiss someone is interesting.
by: florence
http://silessmile.com/html/teeth-whitening-california.html