Old Boyfriends (Life’s a Journey Link-Up, Week 24)

This post is part of a weekly series of ‘link-up’ Posts which reflect on life’s journey, old memories and family stories(see below for more info). 

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So, having reviewed yourstories of leaving home last week, it’s time to turn our attention to romance.  What’s your story? 

Since nobody enjoys an epic Blog Post, I will spare you the inventory of my entire love life. * mops brow*

A man once said (actually it was probably a woman since it contains a hefty splash of cynicism):-

“Trying to teach a teenager the facts of life is like trying to give a fish a bath.” 

How the hell did we learn all that stuff?! 

Anyway, I’ve narrowed down the list to THE big life-changing romance.  The one that took me from teenager to woman, taught me the life-wisdom that a Grammar School for Girls could not, and silently stabbed at my parents’ hearts and tested their resolve.  Big time. 

At 18 I was seriously athletic.  A County and almost-England netballer, who had taken up weight training at a local gym.  I met him there. 

He had blonde curly hair and wore a cream Arran jumper.  He looked a little older than me, but I was smitten within days. 

For the record, the only major error of judgement I made at this point was with my abismal ‘guess the monkey’s age’ technique.  He was 38 and (I later discovered) had two boys who were both older than my 18 year old self.  Shite. 

In addition to his two adult doppelgangers, he also had a black Triumph Spitfire, plenty of money in his pocket, AND incredible muscles.  Still smitten, soz Mum. 

This amazing, unforgettable romance brought into my life the following:-

1.  My very first taste of Indian cuisine

2.  My very first pub lock-in

3.  Brown and Mild (pints thereof)

4.  A kit car (red) – total dude magnet

5.  7 enormous, tattooed brothers to love

6.  A new best girl friend, still here after 25 years

7.  Countless knock-off Billy Ocean tape cassettes bought from the fella in the pub on a Friday night

8.  Amazing trips to Canada, Maldives, Greece to name but a few

9.  Endless laughter

10.  An acute intolerance for men who don’t return home at night.  Hmmmm

I loved this man with all my teenage heart for almost 10 years.  And then I wasn’t a teenager any more, so he had to go.  I don’t mind if he reads this, nor if my husband reads it.  Old boyfriends are part of who we are, and I for one am glad today to celebrate this impossible, adorable, geriatric specimen publicly.  I hope he’s still hanging in there. 

Fond, fond memories of lost love.  What are your stories? 

Write a blog post with your own Boyfriend memories and link it up!  The Linky will stay open for some time yet, so no need to rush.  Share your memories with us and tell your friends.  You can just join in the comments if you prefer – you don’t have to have a Blog to play!  Everyone welcome here.  Consider it therapy.