Love at First Sight

It’s true. It happened to me. A story of my first love

By Olivia MarlenePublished 4 years ago • 4 min read

At the age of 12, I experienced my first attraction, which I may now say is love at first sight. He is my first love, my first boyfriend, my first kiss, and many firsts.

The Day I Met Him

The day I met him was no magical at all. It was a hot, humid, and ordinary day where graduating grade school students boringly fell in line for the graduation rites practice.

As I stared at my worn-out shoes wishing for time to run faster so I could go home and rest, the emcee told the other graduating section to get ready as they are about to come on stage. One by one, student's names were called. Get the diploma on the right, transfer to the left, handshake, then have a bow — that’s all they had to practice on stage.

Suddenly, I remember a boy’s name. The day before, my father’s friend asked if a certain “Joey” is my classmate as he is also a graduating elementary student like me. I answered, “no, I don't know him.”

I suddenly became curious, I then transferred my gaze to the stage and patiently waited for that particular name to be called. At last, he was called on stage and I smiled at a distance.

There were 3 more practices after but unlike the previous days, it was something I look forward to. I just waited for Joey to be called on stage. I don’t know why, I just enjoyed the brief moment that he goes up on stage, takes his dummy diploma, and bows in front of all of us. Little did I know that a spark has already started in my heart.

We Became Neighbors

Shortly after graduation, we transferred to a new address. One night while I was taking a walk in the neighborhood, my eyes grew big and my heart swelled when I saw him right in front of me. OMG, he was my neighbor. I heard him telling his friends my name. Oh, he knew me, I secretly rejoiced.

We Were Paired

His naughty friends began teasing us and we were paired. I was too shy that I can’t even talk to him. He didn’t talk to me either. Being teenagers, being paired and teased felt awkward. We bump to each other every day, our eyes constantly meet, my heart pounding twice every time but still, silence dominates. We treated each other as complete strangers.

We Danced at the Prom

We had junior and seniors prom in high school. Thanks to friends who build bridges for us. We shared dances with classic love songs for people in love. His hands holding mine made my world stopped. We exchanged a few words, we are still shy. No one admits anything.

High School is Done and He Admitted His Feelings

After high school graduation, we again transferred residence and I was going to a university far from town. It was the time he finally told me he liked me, asked for my picture, and my address while in the university.

University Days Filled with Love Letters

Cellphones were not yet a thing during our time. The rich have beepers but for us, we communicated through letters. Oh, how I love receiving his letters! I read them morning and night to the point that I’m able to memorize his words. “When I met you, I already locked the doors of my heart” was a line from his first letter that stuck with me until now. We became a couple a year before I graduated.

I Married Him

Love is strong. We knew we can conquer everything together with the love that binds us. Then a blessing came — an unplanned pregnancy. We took it as a sign to be together. Honestly, it was a risk that we took as we were not financially ready when we tied the knot. But it was a solid decision made by both of us and we stood by it.

Love Guided Us All The Way

We are now in our 18th year, have 2 sons, and have a fairly comfortable life. Love when used to solidify two people as one is a powerful force. We set goals and worked hard for them together. For the 18 years of striving together, 1/3 was dedicated to pulling us up to a safe level to give a comfortable life to our sons, 1/3 was building safety cushions so we can sleep better at night, and the other 1/3 is maintaining and adding both wealth and love day by day.