39. The Cowboy

Sneaking into hotel rooms unnoticed. Ours was a fling of the flesh. Though the friendship was justified by hours and hours of talks about life and living Superheroes. We never mixed sex with friendship. He will always be my favorite mistake!

38. Mike C. #2

Only person I knew who slept with his eyes open. Mom was sad when we broke up. I was too young to be tied down, until the next guy came along 2months later. His ape-ish walk didn’t undo his god-like kisses.

37. Mike C. #1

In junior high I thought Mike and I would get married someday. But I remained “the little sister”. I was so proud when he drove me to the Danbury Fair the day we all skipped school. I wonder if he remembers.

36. Big Roger

My father in law since 1980 even though I didn’t marry until 1983. He always treated me like his daughter. We were best at disagreeing and I learned, after serious bruising, never to sit next to him when we watched boxing.

35. Danno

Danno is a Connecticut boy everyone mistakes for a woodchuck and my husband. We drove to Burlington the other day so I could drive a van back for him. As long as I didn’t look in the back I was safe!

34. Big Al Eastman

Al was a very intimidating Vice Principal as he walked the halls. Our first meeting he asked “You do drugs?” my answer “Not anymore”. Liked my honesty, was always fair. He was the reason I graduated. Is your homework really done?

33. Scott

A master falconer, great sense of humor, Scott forged a letter from a restaurant asking that I not return to their establishment. I made him bow before his boss in humble submission. A true friend. Tonight we will dine together again.

32. Sue

Restaurant manager with a heart of “butter”. Soft, meltable and spreadable. Throws herself into the line of fire to protect those around her. Truly cares about family and friends. One of the few genuine people I have met in my life.

31. Talmadge

Sport jackets and collared shirts are part of the reason some people have the perception of him he hates. Talmadge spends much time analyzing others, not enough on himself. Great deep conversationalist with unique ideas. But I’m not the crazy one.

30. Irene

As I became a teenager Irene seemed like a dingbat. In my youngest years she was a sweet old lady who lived above my grandmother. She wore big glasses and walked slow but made the best cookies I have ever had.

29. Melinda

Distraught over not being allowed to chaperone her son’s class trip, Melinda read what the permission slip said, “Chaperones welcome, but no siblings please”. I defined siblings, she was relieved. Then she innocently asked, “do you boil or bake canned tuna?”

28. Gary

Sitting around a basement table, just like on That Seventies Show, we discussed what we wanted to be when we grew up. Gary wanted to be an alcoholic. He is the only one who accomplished his goal. Should he be proud?

27. Mike Z.

The waitress removed our half eaten breakfasts. It was printed in black and white on the place mat. Among 30+ other proverbs we both the saw same one at the same time. It changed our lives forever. “Happiness is a choice”

26. Carrie

As a kid I envied Carrie. Even felt inferior. She deliberately caused those feelings. She had horrible taste in fashion and husbands. Now she feels trapped, unhappy and envies me. We did have a lot fun on all those camping trips.

25. Dawn

My best friend in high school. Met our sweethearts the same day. Married right out of school. Kids, careers and divorces later we drifted apart. I know one phone call and she would be right there. So why haven’t I called?

24. Miss Gerbasi

One teacher that made me feel smart, even when I wasn’t. She was young, pretty and made even social studies interesting. She invited some of us “special” ones to her apartment for pizza. But why punish those not in the play?

23. Aunt Anna

We scared her by jumping out from behind things when she babysat us. I couldn’t figure why she would return for more horrors. Later on I realized we weren’t good at hiding. She was a funny old lady her whole life.

22. Kevin

High school sweetheart. My first everything. Together 20 years yielding two beautiful kids and the best three legged dog. All the love couldn’t save us from each other. A wonderful fairy tale with a horror story ending. Where is Memory Motel?

21. Craig

Craig was always smiling. We shared our optimisms like kids traded baseball cards. My daughter called crying. He was gone. I grieved alone. I knew we would never open that bowling alley together. He once dated a girl named Charlie Brown.

20. Grumps

Your name never fit. You hid the quarters under the plates for me when I cleared the table. You loved me like your own. I loved you like my own. When you said “Take five” all the cartwheels had to stop.

19. Lisa Close

The writing on the wall was loud and clear. Why didn’t I see it earlier. 13 year olds can be blind too. We had fun in Vermont though. Too bad I got caught and punished. Why didn’t my mom like you?

18. Special Ed

My Knight of Cups. Two glorious nights together years apart . Remained friends all the other nights. The one I made love to with my eyes wide open. A cardboard cutout in my life. Champagne and Tequila is a great combination.

17. Brian

Discussing the meaning of life across the bar drinking Sam Adams, then we moved to my kitchen table. How great to find a friend who gets it. Someday I may get it too. Maybe you get it for both of us.

16. Muriel

I loved to watch Gidget with you in the afternoon. Choosing favorites among your grandkids. Never ever disagree or you will no longer be a welcome member of the family. Exiled forever. Alcoholism can only be hidden in a coffee mug.

15. The "other" T

Have you ever kissed someone with the same name as yours? A unique experience. He once said that he was addicted to me like I was some mind altering hallucinogenic. The first one’s free. All the cool kids are doing it!

14. Tammy Higgins

A true follower. Would do anything I wanted to. She thinks I taught her about life. If I taught her anything it was how to go through life without living. She never knew that it was I who was the follower.

13. Stella

Her real name is Sheila. Always worries what others think. Doubts herself too much. She is very intelligent, competent and has the most enormous heart of anyone I have ever met. She once ate a plaster flower thinking it was candy.

12. Joyce

The day I met Joyce she had her daughter stick her head into a gas oven to dry her newly styled hair. Brenda’s hair smelled of gas all night. That was a great prom though! Joyce healed people’s ailments with rocks.