The year was 1984. The location, somewhere on Long Island. I was totally smitten with an eighth grade trumpet player named Al, but never had the nerve to tell him. When I moved to Florida the next year, I was still so lovesick that I recorded a cassette of myself singing love songs by Air Supply and mailed it to him. He never responded. I still shudder every once in a while when I think of that tape out there... somewhere… Just when I thought I was over you...
Lauren Rico
Classical Music Host
Imagine being 17, totally gaga over a boy, and wanting to be very grown up. My mother worked some evenings, so I did my first romantic dinner-French toast with cream instead of milk, bacon, orange juice and real coffee. (Why a breakfast menu I can't fathom.) Only after 10 minutes of the boy pushing food around on his plate did I learn why. He was Jewish and he kept kosher. He never called again.
Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Host, The Splendid Table®
I was in love with my kindergarten teacher whose name happened to be "Mrs. Love" and wanted to give her something special. So, on my walk to school one morning, I stopped at a house that had some bright yellow flowers, picked a handful and arrived at school with a big grin. I held out the flowers for my teacher. She thanked me and asked where I got them. My heart sank immediately. I had to admit I stole them from the garden of Mrs. Myer (later to become my typing teacher). Mrs. Love made me return the flowers and apologize to Mrs. Myer. Unfortunately, my escapades for love worsened over the years.
David Molpus
Host, All Things Considered®
I drove through a blizzard for love. I was head-over-heels for my college boyfriend, and we just couldn't stand being apart during the Christmas break. So I drove from Bismarck, N.D. to Valley City-more than 100 miles-in near whiteout conditions. They closed the interstate after I got on the road, and it was just me and a couple of truckers navigating the storm. I thank my lucky stars that I made it to Valley City without plunging into the ditch. When I arrived at my boyfriend's house, our parents were ready to kill both of us!
Laura McCallum
Capitol Bureau Chief
During a yearlong stint in Darmstadt, Germany, I fell in love with one of my five German roommates, a young man named Robin. At Christmastime, I wanted to buy him something special. I couldn't single Robin out with a gift, so I had to buy everyone in the flat a present. Soon I started taking everyone to concerts, dance performances, dinner, out for drinks-just so that I could be kind to Robin. At the time, I inconveniently had a boyfriend back home in the States. So I ditched him, made my feelings known to Robin… and he turned me down. It was a bad gamble. But the other four roommates who had been spoiled along with Robin are some of the most adoring, loyal friends I've ever had.
Annie Baxter
Mainstreet Radio® Reporter, Collegeville
I was made to feel the fool by a young woman I had been casually courting who answered "A pack of cigarettes!" when I inquired about what last minute items she might need for the first dinner she was preparing for me. Since I knew she was aware that I wouldn't consider cigarette smoke an appetizing accompaniment to a romantic dinner, I took her answer to be a clear signal about our potential future. When I arrived at her house, I handed her a nice bottle of wine...and some Winston Lights, and left.
Steven John
Newscaster
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