I met my first love when I was in the 3rd grade. I walked into my 3rd/4th grade combo class and there he was, over in the 4th grade section. I was a goner. He didn't love me back for several years, but I never stopped loving him for one second. In 8th grade, he was finally my boyfriend. In 9th grade, we broke up for a while and got back together. We dated on and off through high school. We'd break up and date other people but it just wasn't the same. Everything we did was in some way connected to the other. He was my first boyfriend, my first crush, my first love, my first love making. I never got over him. He went away to the service and I went away to college. Years later he was home on leave and some weird fate brought us to the same place. We tried to reconnect as it appeared neither of us has ever stopped carrying that torch. But, as adults, we learned what is precious in the past should remain in the past. Sometimes we grow up and the experiences of our youth do not grow with us. He was the love of my youth, not the love of my life. I know that now. But I belive that love is love and it shapes us.
I'll always love him, so I know without doubt it was real and not puppy love. But finally, after 20 years, I'm over him.