Dating

As a high school student and, a guy, I went into this relationship with 1 thing in mind (hormones are a bitch.) Our first dates were group outings with her friends and I used the opportunity to pump them for as much info as I could. What I learned over the course of those first months would have sent most guys looking for easier pickings. She was a virgin (not a deal breaker for those who enjoyed a challenge) and had a more than passing interest in religion. Her dating life had been sparse but she was quick to leave any relationship where the subject of sex came up. Had I known this before I got to know her, we would likely never have gotten together but as I learned more about her, I realized that it didn't matter, I was having real feelings for her.

She was into square dancing and camping, 2 things I had never done, so of course I dove in head first. Before you know it I was square dancing 4 days a week, traveling up to 50 miles to join other clubs. Before you judge me, girls tended to outnumber guys 3-1 at these dances, something I wished I'd know years earlier. Any guy that walked in the door was booked solid all night long.

Camping was always fun. Same group of friends whose families also belonged to a national camping group. We spent many nights in an old army tent freezing in the spring and fall, boiling hot in the summer, but always having a blast. I still miss those days. Again, don't judge me.

It was during these camping trips that Barbara and I started getting close. Since almost everyone was coupled up, sleeping arrangements were pre-set. Barbara suffered from night terrors and would occasionally wake up screaming. Holding her would calm her down and we soon learned that getting closer before we fell asleep helped to reduce these instances. Once that became apparent, making out, cuddling and falling asleep in each others arms was a regular occurrence.

Waking up in the morning had it's own set of problems.