Oh my gosh. The letters. They are AMAZING. Letters from my friends about absolutely nothing (literally: "Hey, I did you see my new shoes?") or from the girlfriend of my ex-boyfriend ("Why did you break up with him?") and best of all, from boyfriends ("I love you.") Because, come on, high school "I love you"'s are so BIG and ENCOMPASSING and NOTHING WILL EVER MATTER MORE THAN THIS BOY SAYING HE LOVES ME.
Until you grow up and realize there are so many things that will matter more.
I found the diary I kept in 7th-8th grade. Here's the very first entry-
5/28/93
End of the year dance! I danced with Aaron, Justin, Chris, Danny, and Jeremy. Aaron sang "I Will Always Love You" to me while we danced and he CANNOT SING! He's crazy. I can't believe tomorrow is the very last day. I'm thinking about writing Aaron a note telling him to call me this summer. I might not thought. I think I like him. But he danced with Kristin too. What if he likes her?
Ok. Aaron. That Aaron?
Five years later, he'd write me a letter that includes this:
I hope you didn't get in trouble last night for being on the phone so long. It was my fault. I just can't seem to let you go. Can't wait to see those big beautiful eyes. I love you.GAH. How CUTE is that??
Of course, we eventually broke up. But looking back through these letters reminds me of how completely crazy about each other we were, until we weren't. I love High School Love. It is so EVERYTHING when you're in it, right? It's not the same when you grow up. I mean it's still love, it's still romantic and sexy and emotional. But there's nothing like that first love, when you truly think there is NOTHING in the world that will ever be as important as this boy, this dance, this kiss.
*sigh*