There will be a sequel. I sent this piece to Lisa before publication not really expecting a response, but she responded with kindness and gave me her side of the story which was something my little main character brain never really considered. And I will also keep falling in love.
Youch! I always say I wouldn't be a kid again for anything, but reading your post took me right back there! Back to the days when having the wrong kind of sandals could result in your expulsion from the friend group, when you asked kids if you could play with them and they looked at you frostily and said they were too old to "play", when you LONGED to be as cool as Marcia or as popular as Vanessa or as smart as Elizabeth, but knew you'd never be any of those things... The pain of it all! It was good to revisit those old memories, in reading your amazing piece, if only to feel renewed gratitude that they're all safely in the past! Wonderful writing, Julie.
Ok - this one brought me right back to middle school - that unrequited admiration we squeezed into and out of our female friendships. The ones that shaped all my future love pursuits.
Damn Julie- you nailed it in this one. Ooof.
And I’m watching this all unfold again with my 10 year old daughter {*sigh*} And I fear the upcoming years when all of this will unfold online - in the Meta and not just the hallways at her school.
Gosh, I loved this! My “nerdy, once-poor, steeplechasing, still obsessive-loving, ‘multi addicted,’ I mean, passionate😉😂 self” really resonated & just as much, was entertained by this piece.
There will be a sequel. I sent this piece to Lisa before publication not really expecting a response, but she responded with kindness and gave me her side of the story which was something my little main character brain never really considered. And I will also keep falling in love.
Youch! I always say I wouldn't be a kid again for anything, but reading your post took me right back there! Back to the days when having the wrong kind of sandals could result in your expulsion from the friend group, when you asked kids if you could play with them and they looked at you frostily and said they were too old to "play", when you LONGED to be as cool as Marcia or as popular as Vanessa or as smart as Elizabeth, but knew you'd never be any of those things... The pain of it all! It was good to revisit those old memories, in reading your amazing piece, if only to feel renewed gratitude that they're all safely in the past! Wonderful writing, Julie.
Wow, Julie. I think this is my new favourite essay. So good. So familiar.
Ok - this one brought me right back to middle school - that unrequited admiration we squeezed into and out of our female friendships. The ones that shaped all my future love pursuits.
Damn Julie- you nailed it in this one. Ooof.
And I’m watching this all unfold again with my 10 year old daughter {*sigh*} And I fear the upcoming years when all of this will unfold online - in the Meta and not just the hallways at her school.
At least she has you as a mother. That’s going to help her feel a little less alone.
Gosh, I loved this! My “nerdy, once-poor, steeplechasing, still obsessive-loving, ‘multi addicted,’ I mean, passionate😉😂 self” really resonated & just as much, was entertained by this piece.