In which the YA author showcases the great and awkward of the teenage years.
Today I give you a photo that isn’t as self-deprecating as usual (more great than awkward), but one that is close to my heart for the date in which it represents. Never mind that I’m wearing oddly-patterned stirrup pants. (Luckily I pulled my socks up over the stirrups.) Never mind that Matt gets completely lost in the photo if you’re not putting the effort in to see a dim outline of his sweater. And never mind that the photographer posed us in such a way that I actually look like I’m twiddling my thumbs and Matt is pointing it out. Because no, this was a great date. A rarity in high school.
I barely remember anything about the plot. I know there was a dance at his school and I know he showed me some of his artwork, which was impressive in a way that went way beyond the fact that I intended to flatter him anyways because I liked him. He could paint. I know there was kissing; I definitely remember he showed me how to do it well. (We all have one of those, right? Where you’re like, ohhhhhhhh, that’s how kissing is supposed to be!) Mostly what I remember is his character. Totally gentlemanly. He was kind and attentive. If he was nervous, he hid it well. He didn’t mind that I was completely nervous and it showed all over me. Oh nervous girl that was me in high school, I wish I could tell you to just relax! But thank you, Matt, for your kindness. That will always stay with me. I couldn’t have asked for a better first boyfriend.
There will be more YA author guest posts coming in the near future. And as always, if you’re a YA author, and wish to be featured over here for self-deprecating Sunday, then please contact me at jody(dot)mugele(at)gmail(dot)com It’s more fun than church.
Jody Sparks Mugele 
Nice post. Beautiful hair! Cool, too, that your first boyfriend was a good kisser and didn’t slobber on you like a St. Bernard. (Not that I know anything about that.) Yay, Matt!
Huh. Shannon, that’s so weird because it reeeeeeeeeally seemed like you knew something about being slobbered on. 😉
My first boyfriend’s name was Matt, too. He was not such a good kisser, but he was very sweet and once stood dripping in a towel to talk to me on the phone because I’d called him while he was bathing. Our relationship couldn’t sustain the fact that we were carless freshmen from different towns, but he was still a great first boyfriend.
Trish, THAT’S exactly what got Matt and I. The distance. The damn distance. (sigh.)
sounds like someone who should be imortalized by being written into a book. 😉
I admit nothing. 😉
I remember stirrup pants!! Ah, the good ol’ days…
I will make a deal with you Jody. IF you don’t use my name, you can say what ever you would like about me. You know that everyone could find me if they had my name.
On another note. I didn’t know that I was your first “boyfriend”.
Deal! (You meant in my books, right? Because I think I already named you here. And btw, I couldn’t even find you WITH your name. Or were you being sarcastic, and I missed it?) Probably. Anyway, I’m glad you found me!