As the third redhead ( your present wife) in the story I have to say I’m glad you finally got it right, with me👩🦰💕. Wonderful story and writing as always. I listened to the audio.
"Self-consciousness is a romance killer." I don't know about that. If you did it right, the girls who liked the Woody Allen films from the '70s might have fallen for you. Of course there's no guarantee they would all be gingers.
Annie Hall is his most popular one, but I liked Bananas and Love & Death. I lost interest when he started to take himself seriously (Interiors, Manhattan, etc.) His self-deprecating comedy was the best.
I loved his self-deprecating humor as well. I have seen those movies, though I don’t remember love and death, so maybe I’ll rewatch that one. Thanks, Robert!
Hey Don, I live on Martha’s Vineyard year-round; the next time you and your lovely red headed wife come over let me know so we (me and my lovely red headed wife) can take you for a larger tour of our island.
So many charmingly notstalgic images in that piece, Don. I enjoyed your combination of short story, memoire, and teenage angst.
Line line, "But to us boys, or at least to me, she was a woman" - I remember perceiving girls that way at 16. If they were 17, they were in another league!
Or this one, "Self-consciousness is a romance killer". Oh, yes. The number of times many a potential romance escaped my hopes for lack of courage to speak.
I hadn't thought of those teen moments with their "confusing impluses of puberty" for years (decades!). I find myself oddly wistful about those years as I read your piece.
Thank you so much, Eric. You are the second or third reader to say that my essay made them feel nostalgic, and that gives me such a deep feeling of satisfaction and success. Thank you for giving me that gift. So, we gifted each other! 🙏 (one reader even said that after reading, he stopped at a bar, ordered a beer, and requested an old song to be played for him).
I went on a few of those youth group trips myself Don! I was definitely the awkward and shy type and had very little luck with the ladies back in those days.
As the third redhead ( your present wife) in the story I have to say I’m glad you finally got it right, with me👩🦰💕. Wonderful story and writing as always. I listened to the audio.
Thanks, sweetheart! 🥰
"Self-consciousness is a romance killer." I don't know about that. If you did it right, the girls who liked the Woody Allen films from the '70s might have fallen for you. Of course there's no guarantee they would all be gingers.
Well, I’ll just have to watch one of those films. Which one do you recommend? :-)
Annie Hall is his most popular one, but I liked Bananas and Love & Death. I lost interest when he started to take himself seriously (Interiors, Manhattan, etc.) His self-deprecating comedy was the best.
I loved his self-deprecating humor as well. I have seen those movies, though I don’t remember love and death, so maybe I’ll rewatch that one. Thanks, Robert!
I loved the nostalgia here- Youth groups, ice cream, bikes, and red hair.
Thank you so much, Sam!🙏💚
Hey Don, I live on Martha’s Vineyard year-round; the next time you and your lovely red headed wife come over let me know so we (me and my lovely red headed wife) can take you for a larger tour of our island.
Thanks, Bill. I will surely keep that in mind! I’m in Hyannis.
Oh dear, I related to your story a bit too much there! Glad it was third time lucky for you.
I was definitely a late bloomer in the romance department!
Enjoyed this story! "Silly boy. Self-consciousness is a romance killer, I know that. I surely know that!" Here's to the shy guys!
haha, thanks, Joan!
What a beautiful story! Yay, for us redheads!! 🙌
👩🦰🚀 Yay for redheads!
You two look very happy. Probably for the best that the first "attempts" didn't take. :)
😊 Thanks, Elizabeth! 💚
So many charmingly notstalgic images in that piece, Don. I enjoyed your combination of short story, memoire, and teenage angst.
Line line, "But to us boys, or at least to me, she was a woman" - I remember perceiving girls that way at 16. If they were 17, they were in another league!
Or this one, "Self-consciousness is a romance killer". Oh, yes. The number of times many a potential romance escaped my hopes for lack of courage to speak.
I hadn't thought of those teen moments with their "confusing impluses of puberty" for years (decades!). I find myself oddly wistful about those years as I read your piece.
A nice feeling. Thanks.
Thank you so much, Eric. You are the second or third reader to say that my essay made them feel nostalgic, and that gives me such a deep feeling of satisfaction and success. Thank you for giving me that gift. So, we gifted each other! 🙏 (one reader even said that after reading, he stopped at a bar, ordered a beer, and requested an old song to be played for him).
Most welcome. 🙏
A beautiful nostalgic story, Don. Lovely that you found true love with Jennifer.
Thank you, Maureen. 🙏💚
Reading what you wrote on subway made me get into a bar before getting home, order a beer, and ask the staff to play a song from my teenager days.
Oh, what a wonderful compliment for me ha ha!
Really loved this story/memory, Don!
Thank you, Priya! 🙏
I went on a few of those youth group trips myself Don! I was definitely the awkward and shy type and had very little luck with the ladies back in those days.
You and me both, then!
I love this story. I’m glad there was (is) still love on the other side of all the ups and downs.
Thank you so much, Tesstamona. I really appreciate it! 🙏💚
Such a great post!
Thanks, Mike!
You write with such clarity and honesty -- I'm glad I found your site! From a fellow seeker in western Mass.
Western Mass is my favorite place in the world! Thank you, Hal. It’s very nice to meet you. 🙏💚