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First and Last
1971 I was a senior in high school; kind of an over-weight plain Jane. I was everyone's friend, including the boy that sat behind me for the past 4 years in home room, Bob Shope. I was like his sister, his counselor, his friend. I would give him advice on particular girls he was interested in. In May '71 Bob had made plans to attend the prom with the girl he had been dating. Unfortunately, they had just broken up. To my amazement he asked me to go with him.
The prom was a magical evening. I felt like a princess and Bob treated me like one. When we arrived home I could tell Bob was very nervous which made me very nervous. He then quickly gave me a kiss on my face, missing my lips. He then dashed out of the house. We maintained out friendship throughout the rest of the school year.
Four years later Bob and I crossed paths again. I was thinner and much more confidant. I had a big head. We saw each other briefly, but I had another love interest and Bob stepped aside.
As the years came and went, Bob married and had a daughter. I never did marry. I devoted most of my life to a career.
I would run into Bob about every five years when we had our class reunions. We would sit, talk, reminisce, and even share a dance or two. I remember during our 25th reunion I asked Bob if he was happy in his marriage. His response was, "I guess". If we were different people, we probably would have had an affair that night. Bob is not a cheater, and I do not have affairs with married men.
Five years later I get a call at home from Bob. We were expecting word about our 30 year reunion, and he was calling to see if he was left out. I also learned that day that he was divorced after 23 years of marriage. As it turned out we never had a 30 year reunion. However, Bob and I started emailing each other and talking on the phone. Bob expressed an interest in coming for a visit, but I fought that idea tooth and nail. To me Bob was still my friend, my buddy. After months of talking I decided to allow Bob to come see me.
I remember I was very nervous, because I did not know what I was going to do with him. He came, we embraced, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips, and we sat down. I informed him that he was my first date and first kiss. I then teased him about the first kiss and the fact that he missed my lips. He informed me that he had improved on his kisses over the years. And he proved it. What a kiss. I think I saw fireworks.
Two months later we were engaged. One year later we were married. I cannot imagine my life without this man.
Bob was the first man I ever introduced to my parents and he is the last man I will ever introduce to my parents.
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