otoh

Thr first great love of my life was when I was in college in Eastern Kentucky. As I prepare to travel north for the holidays an image of her keeps creeping into my mind. Snowflakes clinging to the lashes over brown eyes. Cheeks flushed from the cold night air.

We went walking around campus on a particular winter night. She wore a bright red winter coat. Snow covered the ground. The air was clear and cold and still. We held gloved hands and walked and talked for hours. I have no recollection of what we talked about, but since I’m usually so quiet the fact that we could talk so much is nothing short of miraculous to me. Even if there were nothing else special about her that alone would earn her a shrine in my heart.

At one point we made snow angels — something I hadn’t done since I was a kid and haven’t done since. Two angels wing-to-wing in the snow. One angel at my side.

The following summer she decided she wanted to date some else — a guy she later married. (Years later I would have a string of girlfriends that married or moved in with the guy they hooked up with after me, but that’s a different story….)

We stayed friends for a few years until after she moved away and started her family. I used to think it was important to stay friends with women I dated. Since then I’ve learned that it’s not always possible and not always a good idea even if it is possible, but that’s a different story….

Those snow angels were probably trampled the next day and, of course, they naturally melted away soon after we made them. But the memory of them and the night and the girl linger.

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