72 Comments
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Yolanda D.'s avatar

It's such a great and sweet story. I'm glad you found your Molly! ❤️💕

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Don Boivin's avatar

Haha, thanks, Yolanda. Jennifer approves of this story. She’s flattered that I called her “my Molly, by golly,” because she always calls the original “the one that got away.”

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Yolanda D.'s avatar

AWESOME, DON! 💕

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Mohika Mudgal's avatar

Life always has a way of giving us what’s meant for us, na? Jennifer sounds like an absolute rockstar. She's strong, adventurous, and totally in sync with you. The way you wrote about her made me feel so happy for you, like the universe just decided, "Here you go, Don, this one’s for keeps!" & you already know this, you’ve got a fan in me for life! I loveeeeeee reading your stories.

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Don Boivin's avatar

Ha, that’s exactly how I felt when I first met Jennifer! We both took our time, determined to just be friends, because we both had had enough of relationship. But eventually I began to feel as you say: that the universe had presented me with a gift, a reward for all my difficult years. So, I said, Yes, thank you!

That’s not to say that we’re not both human, with our flaws, our weaknesses, our needs and misunderstandings. But ultimately, we respect each other and want what’s best for each other. That’s the proper foundation for a relationship!

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Audrey B's avatar

The sharing of this fond, sweet memory had me smiling from ear to ear. And…

hearing it read in your own voice, Don, enhanced my enjoyment of your storytelling 💜

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you so much, Audrey! 🙏💚

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Ian Haycroft's avatar

Sweet story Don. Like a good story should do it took me on an inner tour of my own adventures in "love". ❤️

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you, Ian! 🙏💚

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Jane Deegan's avatar

Great story and audio Don, it took me back to my almost 1st kiss at 13. Chuck at summer camp - sigh. He told me I was pretty, we held hands and on the last day he went went in for a kiss and then ran away. Never to be seen again. Tyler was my first kiss later that summer. It was his birthday and I picked up a cheesy necklace at the mall. He kissed me I front of a group of our friends my face was crimson as our friends giggled. They never let me live that down

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Don Boivin's avatar

Aw, so cute. I can’t believe that first guy was coming in for a kiss and then abandoned! He probably has similar regrets as me, ha ha.

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Aussie Jo's avatar

I enjoyed this post, such a nice story, you found the right girl for you just too some time

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you, Jo! 🙏💚

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Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

oh, the simplicity and complexity of first kisses. Your story has no doubt encouraged all your readers to reflect on their own first kisses, as many of them as we have had.

I wasn't so lucky to have had a "Molly" in high school. I dated two boys in my church youth group, who compared notes and told me that I was a weird kisser. By that time I was used to being called weird for all kinds of things. Thank goodness my Hobbit likes my weird style of kissing.

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Don Boivin's avatar

You’ve really left me wondering what “weird” kissing is, lol! I guess I’ll have to ask your guy!

Thank you, Teri. And thank you for the Buddha line divider. I love it so much!

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Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

for a long time that comment stuck with me as if there was something wrong with me and the way I kiss. Now, I don’t care. I like it.

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Jessica Edwards's avatar

great photos Don. Was gripped. Heavy heart for that young man. It's often regrettable to over- think things. Classic love story scene when you're just itching for them to kiss! And they didn't!!!!

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Don Boivin's avatar

Ah, a perspective from the other side! Of course, I'll never know how Molly was feeling, and how she remembers things.

Thanks, Jessica! 🙏💚

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

A very sweet story and read, Don. Somethings aren't meant to be. I always like to think that in the end we find something better. You obviously did with Jennifer. 💕

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you so much, Pamela! 🙏😊

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Emily Conway's avatar

I could feel the tension in the pine woods. Aack! It was palpable (good story telling, there). I'm glad you found your Molly by another name:).

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thanks, Emily! 🙏💚

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

Phew…no wet bathing suits. I shudder to wonder what might have happened had Molly been wearing such a thing, standing there, that last day, in the privacy afforded to you both by the tree guardians…. Substack filters would not have let THAT through.

The pain of awkward innocence. Familiar.

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Don Boivin's avatar

Haha, I was so innocent at that age. I was definitely a late bloomer in the romantic department.

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Kendall Lamb's avatar

What a great story, Don! That

missed moment on the path.... oof. Alas, you've found one heck of a woman in Jennifer- that photo of her from 1987 is iconic!

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you, Kendall. 🙏😊

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Grace Drigo's avatar

Ahh the teenage years…so many good memories. Glad you found your Molly. 💛

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thanks, Grace! 🙏😊

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Nancy Hesting's avatar

What a nice story.

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you, Nancy 🙏😊

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Bob Barraclough's avatar

"Molly Parker" is a Canadian actress who starred in "Men With Brooms," a Paul Gross film about a curling team.

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Don Boivin's avatar

Every time I’ve tried to google my Molly, this actor come up! 😅

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Eddie Burns's avatar

What a great little story. And I'm digging your writing and writing style! I'm in board for the Creator Retreat, so I'll meet you on Zoom in the coming months.

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Don Boivin's avatar

Thank you so much, Eddie. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person! 🙏💚

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