The First “ I Love You”

The Coronavirus has caused so much devastation that I thought it would be a good idea to write about something that most adults could relate to, which is the first time you recall hearing those three special words, “ I love you”. I can recall elementary school in the 5th grade when a boy and girl cared for each other. He wrote a note on a piece of paper, balled it up and threw it on her desk. She sat in from of me so when she opened it, I could read “ I love you do you love me?” ’ She quickly wrote “yes”, balled the paper up again and threw it back on his desk. Both of them were blushing and it was adorable. I vaguely can remember being a young teen and sering girls write all over the front of their notebooks , “ I love so and so” over and over again. This was around the time The Partridge Family’s hit I think I love you was out.

I was sleeping and right in the middle of a good dream

Like all at once I wake up from something that keeps knocking at my brain

Before I go insane I hold my pillow to my head

And spring up in my bed screaming out the words I dread

I think I love you (I think I love you)

This morning I woke up with this feeling

I didn't know how to deal with and so I just decided to myself

I'd hide it to myself and never talk about it

And did not go and shout it when you walked into the room

I think I love you (I think I love you)

I think I love you so what am I so afraid of

I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for

I think I love you isn't that what life is made of

Though it worries me to say that I never felt this way

I don't know what I'm up against

I don't know what it's all about

I got so much to think about

Hey, I think I love you so what am I so afraid of

I'm afraid that I'm not sure of a love there is no cure for

I think I love you isn't that what life is made of

Though it worries me to say I never felt this way

Believe me you really don't have to worry

I only wanna make you happy and if you say "hey go away" I will

But I think better still I'd better stay around and love you

Do you think I have a case let me ask you to your face

Do you think you love me?

I think I love you

I think I love you

I think I love you

I think I love you

I think I love you

I think I love you

I think I love you

I think I love you

What has resignated in my mind however is the first time my husband told me he loved me. We had briefly met and danced once or twice at a party on April 17, 1976, but officially got to know each other a week later on the 25th. He came to my house and by the time he left we had exchanged bracelets with each other and shared our first, second, and third kisses. This was on a Sunday afternoon and I was smitten. He promised to call me Monday night at 8:00 PM and he did. He was not at home but playing basketball in a nearby park. He remembered that I was awaiting his call so he found a payphone and kept his word.

I was 17 and thought this was so romantic and I just knew I was in love. I thought about him all night and my heart was bursting at the seams to let him know how I felt. In those days we were taught that it was the guy who should make all the first moves. This is why when he called me at 10:30 AM the following Tuesday morning I was shaking like a leaf. I was overjoyed he had thought of me so early in the day and I just had to know if he felt the same was about me but did not dare ask. I was in my living room standing next to a small table near the left side of the couch. As he began to talk my mind was screaming, “ Ssy it, say it, say it” and he did. Midway through the conversation he said “ Cheryl, I love you.” I wax ecstatic and told him “I love you too.” I was jumping up and down and flying high for the rest of the day. Perhaps in today’s world this seems old fashioned but once upon a time the innocence of uttering these words to someone for the first time was truly a big deal. I’m certain that many who read this story know that it’s true and are now recalling their own first time.