Real Kato Blog: Childhood Crushes

This weekend I've been digging through boxes of memorabilia. With Valentine's Day approaching, I can't help but think about my first crush.

Well, okay, I can't say for sure that this was my very first crush, but it was certainly a memorable one.

The object of my attention was Mae Pyen. This is what she and I looked like in seventh grade:

Yes, not only did I have a bowl haircut, but apparently the bowl wasn't even held on straight. Or maybe the bowl was straight but my head wasn't. And I was wearing some sort of velour shirt that was too big for my 80-pound frame.

Mae lived just three blocks away from me. We rode the same bus, and she was in my homeroom. So I saw her every day. But I think I barely spoke ten words to her during all of that school year. When I did speak to her, I got all tongue-tied and came off like a complete idiot. Secretly, though, I would fantasize about various (innocent) romantic situations, where I would be all silver-tongued and charming, and she would just swoon.

We knew each other all through junior high school and high school, and I never asked her out. I never even told her I liked her, though perhaps she might have guessed. She went to Northwestern, I think, and I didn't see her again until our high school ten-year reunion.

She had gotten married.

Sigh.

Permalink 1 Comment

Posted by Ken in: life

Comments

Comment #1 from vadal (Guest)
2005 Jun 29 - 4:53 pm : #

This is so great. Today, something reminded me of Mae Pyen and I decided to see if I would find information on her on the internet. She was a student at Northwestern and she participated in the work-study program in University Relations. There was a young man who I believe (don't quote me on this) had an eye for her as well and I thought he would follow through. They used to look so cute together when I would bring work to him and I always felt that I was walking in on something. I know I sound like a mother hen, but they WERE both so cute.

She is a very pretty young lady and a winning personality to boot. I'm so happy for her. Should you run into her again tell her Vadal Redmond said "hi".

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