Tuesday, October 11, 1988

Dear Diary,

Today I got it! Grant's necklace! I will put it on when I get on the bus and wear it during school, then take it off on the bus. Someday I'll tell mom and dad about Grant, if we last long enough.





I don't think kids still do this (maybe they do?). In my day the boys all had chain necklaces or bracelets. When they got a girlfriend they would give her their necklace to wear. It was kind of like swapping class rings or class jackets. We were just too young to have any of that stuff. But oh, every girl wanted to have a shiny chain around her neck. I, regrettably, was no different. I felt very grown-up and cool wearing Grant's necklace. It all seems trivial now.

Why so secretive you might ask. My parents were rather strict with me growing up. I think part of it was that I was the oldest child and somewhat of an experiment for them. They always frowned upon "boyfriends". They said I was too young. Now that I am an adult, I would agree that 11 is too young to have a real boyfriend and go on dates. However, what Grant and I had was hardly a real relationship. It was kid stuff. We said we were going together but in reality we didn't go anywhere. The only thing we did was write notes to each other in school. Harmless. But mom and dad wouldn't see it that way. I needed to be focused on my studies.

Did anyone notice that I took a boys necklace (a commitment) but doubted that the relationship would last. Does that make me fickle or wise?