30 years ago
14 July 1977 is a day that changed my life. I can’t imagine how barren my life might have been if that day hadn’t happened the way it did.
I had been in a relationship for just over a year and a half. It might not sound long, but from the age of 15 to 17 that is a long, long time. For a 17 year old it’s one tenth of a lifetime.
It was a turbulent relationship. I can’t say how many times we broke up and got back together again. Somehow there always had to be conflict. But one day I decided that I had finally had enough. I made it clear that this time the break was final. There was no going back. The rate we were going we’d have been married at 18 and divorced by 20. And we probably would have destroyed each other in the process.
That summer day in July was warm and sunny. It was school sports day.
For some time we had been gradually drawn together. She was my girlfriend’s best friend. She was easy to talk to. I was always finding excuses to be in her company.
And so it was that we spent most of that day together. Neither of us was taking part in any sports so we sat on the steps of a classroom in the sun and talked. And talked and talked.
In the evening there was to be a school dance. I didn’t actually ask her to go to the dance with me, but I made sure she was going.
And, as fate would have it, we arrived at the same time. For me, it was a short walk to school, for her it meant getting a lift with her dad (and a lift home again). I don’t think we’d arranged to arrive at the same time (not as far as I remember, anyway) but fate definitely wanted us to be together that day.
On the dance floor the whole world seemed to melt away as we melted into each other. The touch, the kiss, Jammin’ (Bob Marley), Samba Pa Ti (Santana). The electricity between us. It was as if we had both spent years longing for that moment.
Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think back to that night. At least twice a day, in fact - at night when I slide into bed next to Sue’s soft naked body and in the morning when I wake up snuggled next to her. The electricity of our touch hasn’t dimmed at all in that time.
And there isn’t a day goes by when I don’t think how fortunate I am that two 17 year olds got together on that day in July 1977.
Happy 30th Anniversary, Sue. My life would definitely have been poorer if events hadn’t gone the way they did on that day.
[PS sorry it’s so long since the last post. Where did the last 2½ months go?]
Saturday 14 July 2007 08:53
Darling Ed,
Thank you for that evocative reminder of such a special evening. When I played the music player and heard the first few strains of guitar, I was back there - as I always am when I hear that song. The one thing that sticks in my mind, well, two actually, is the way we started off dancing to that song close together, arms around each other, and as the music got faster and faster, all the other couples broke apart - but we carried on dancing slowly, arms entwined, oblivious to everyone else - just lost in the moment.
The other enduring memory was the look on a certain person’s face. I can see her now - her body language was hem, how should I say this, rather negative… I think she wanted to kill me actually!!!! but that, as they say, is another story…..
I love you. From that moment to now. Always yours. Completly and utterly lost without you. And I would not want it any other way xxxxx
Sunday 15 July 2007 06:26
Happy 30th anniversary!!! I wish you two many more together.
Sunday 15 July 2007 12:53
Brilliant. 30 years and you guys still have it going. Thanks for being a role model for longevity AND having fun while doing it!
Sunday 15 July 2007 18:13
That is so completely awesome. Congratulations to you both.
Monday 16 July 2007 06:39
A beautiful post, for which much thanks. And welcome back. We’ve missed you loads and almost gave up on you.
Monday 16 July 2007 20:11
Aww…
You guys are so romantic, and I wish you every blessing in the future
BEC
Wednesday 18 July 2007 04:22
What a terrifically beautiful story!
Saturday 21 July 2007 16:27
Thank you all. For some reason comments aren’t being emailed to me so it wasn’t until I looked at the site today that I realised that there were comments on this post. I thought no-one was reading any more! And apologies, MCB, your comment was snagged by Akismet and I only just noticed it.
Post coming up soon on how we celebrated our anniversary (if I can get around to finishing it).
Saturday 21 July 2007 19:32
Well, congratulations!! C. and I send along our wishes that you both live and prosper.
Thursday 2 August 2007 12:43
Just got back from hols to see that you’re back. And what a wonderful memory. Summer ‘77 was a special time for me as well-there must have been something in the air back then!