The Yesteryear Footballer

Too many years ago to mention (after all I don't want to give away EVERYTHING about me!  isn't the mystery part of what brings some of you back??) I had a ridiculous crush on the captain of my high school football team.  He, a gorgeous popular junior.  Me, a fun-loving yet lowly freshman.  I would see him from afar and adore his beauty, knowing he had no idea who I was.

Second semester came along, and I walked into 3rd period P/E class.  To my horror, Mr. Football himself was in the class.  While not completely UNathletic, how was my awkward 15-year-old self suppose to rock gym clothes while still making an impression during a mean game of Pickle Ball?  I spent the semester being googly-eyed over his blond hotness and even caught a smile or two occasionally.

The following year I spent many Friday nights cheering his football prowess from the bleachers and tried looking confidently chic when passing him in the halls.  This was easier to do as a sophomore than as a freshman, but alas he had obtained a girlfriend.  She was beautiful and cool... a perfect fit.

Two weeks ago Mr. Football popped up in my inbox with a friend request.  I instantly went back to being in the 10th grade with an insane crush.  I turned to the interns, "Guys.  I just got a Facebook friend request from my high school crush!"  Of course they all were immediately excited for me.  I'm sure it hasn't been too long since they had high school crushes of their own, so it's fresh in their memories.  Who knew he remembered me, let alone knew who I was [mumbles a number] years ago?

We emailed back and forth for a few days catching up.  At one point I even confessed my super crush from back in the day.  He said he wished he would've known - he wound up marrying the gorgeous girlfriend and divorcing her shortly thereafter.  We swapped numbers and have been texting as though we're back in high school.  It's all innocent and fun and flirty... and 1500 miles away.  The mileage keeps things safe and almost surreal.  But it also is a constant reminder that meeting up for a drink isn't possible.

Needless to say, it's been fun.  It's been an ego-boost.  And it's been a really nice walk down Memory Lane.