Love in Second Grade

Alan and I were a second-grade couple. Our romance was short-lived, but noteworthy. There were no other couples in second grade at the time of our affair. We had been good friends since the previous year, and common interests -- such as our passion for all things Star Wars, and the fact that my mom was his mom's Avon lady -- brought us closer. Then came the day at recess when he asked, "Do you love me?" I replied, "Sure." That sealed it. Relationships were so simple back then.

We sacrificed for each other. Other kids made fun of us. I was taunted to the point of tears by classmates chanting "Deana and Alan sitting in a tree..." As I sat crying at my desk, classmate Chad Small (brother of Brad Small, if any of you know who he is) approached me and, desperately trying to help, solemnly suggested that I run away from home. I don't know how that would have helped, but I appreciated his concern.

Alan and I eventually went separate ways, and in third grade my family moved out of state. On my last day at school, he gave me a teddy bear.

Occasionally I've wondered what became of Alan. Then last night, I came across a web site for alums of the high school in that town. I was scanning the names and there he was. With an email address. So...should I? Would you?