First "First Kiss", Last "First Kiss"

My first kiss, my first REAL non-spin-the bottle kiss, was magical. It was snowing, one of those magical snows that blankets everything. No slush. Not too cold. Just perfect. And a group of us were having a snowball fight. Woosh! Pow! Whap! The snowballs were flying and then Jimmy, the coolest boy I had ever met, got an impish look in his eye and... Bam! He hit me right in the center of my chest and I went flying into the snowbank behind me. He trudged over and extended his hand (as if to help me up) but instead he fell beside me and kissed me. It was the softest, sweetest, first kiss any girl could ask for. I felt it on my lips for days after it happened and even now, a beautiful, peaceful snow reminds me of the innocence and splendor of that one moment. It is a memory I will carry in my heart forever.

Now my last first kiss was much different. I was much older (almost 20 years older than I was that snowy day). I had experienced dozens of first kisses. Some of them good, some of them bad. Some of them preludes to warm and caring relationships, some of them overtures to liaisons created in hell. But first kisses they were and with exception of my first, first kiss, none of them were memorable... until the first time I kissed my husband. We were in a storage room, organizing items to be given to the homeless. And he just tapped me on the shoulder and kissed me. We were not dating. I didn't even realize he was interested in me. He just kissed me, hands cupping each side of my face, and said quietly, "I have been wanting to do that since high school," and then he just walked away. I stood there for a very long time (probably only like 30 seconds) trying to make sense of what had just happened. (In hindsight, I think I was trying to get some feeling back in my legs. My husband is truly an excellent kisser.)

When I think about it now, I realize that was my last "first kiss" and I couldn't have asked for anything better. Just like my first "first kiss", it left me speechless. Also, like my first "first kiss", it lingered on my lips but not just for days this time... it has lingered for years. I am telling this story because today is my wedding anniversary and although I spend a lot of time poking fun at my life, I am fully aware at the many blessing that I have. While dancing with my "first kiss" Jimmy at my wedding, he asked me if I was happy and I could honestly tell him, "I am". And that felt good. But what feels better is that after all these years (and innumerable humiliating moments), I still am.

So today without jokes or any funny stories, I tell you all that I have felt loved every moment of my marriage. My husband has made me feel secure enough to be me from that very first kiss and I am so grateful. So to him I would like to say, "I truly love you, Mr. Fisher. Thank you for best last "first kiss" any woman could hope for."