Hotty in Hot Pink

I’ve known my husband a long time. 20 years to be exact. We met when I was a very young and naïve 13-year freshman in high school. It is somewhat comical now to look back on that girl. Boy, did I think I was the very epitome of cool. An endless amount of time was dedicated to my appearance, especially my clothes. I even remember what I was wearing when I first met my husband. I arrived at our geometry class decked out head to toe in clothing from the Wet Seal. To this day, he and I still joke about that outfit: a blue and white striped jean mini-skirt and a white knit sweater with a scalloped collar. I think it made my mother physically ill to buy those clothes, but given that I was starting high school, she acquiesced to my pleas and allowed me to pick out one outfit completely on my own.

Other memories from that time in my life are not quite so vivid. I remember some names, faces, and events, but most moments have simply faded away with time. Or so I thought.

Fast forward to today. My husband, Geoff, and I have been married for six years, have two children, and are leading an otherwise normal life. We don’t talk much about our history together simply because we are so caught up in the everyday chaos of kids, work, and school. Even though we may not reminisce about our time in high school, it is apparently closer to my husband's heart than I realized.

As it is Not-Me Monday, I thought I would share this tidbit with the blogging community: I did not discover that my husband is still carrying around my high school prom picture in his wallet…20 years later.


Here I am with my prom date, Marc, in all my hot pink glory: a hot pink dress, hot pink shoes, and even hot pink finger nails. Upon close inspection of the photo, I noticed that although it appears that I tried to reconcile the height difference between my date and I with the height of my hair, it did not work. It would have undoubtedly been easier if I had just worn high heels. I also realized that there must have been some sort of communication problem with Marc, as his is adorned in grey and soft pink tones, thereby violating the all-important male/female color coordination rule.

I flipped the photo over and read what I wrote on the back:

To Geoff (my best friend),
I’m really glad that I got to know you this year.
It has truly been an “experience” sitting by you in math.
We’ll have to go out soon.
Keep in touch,
Francesca

P.S. “93” rules

After 20 years, Geoff and I have an untold number of photos at various stages in our life together. Most pictures were taken on days when my hair was not frozen in place with Aqua Net and you couldn’t spot me from 30 paces because of the color of my clothes. Why would he still carry around this picture?

The answer: It reminds him of our beginning; the point when our two lives first intersected. Through all of our high’s and low’s together, he likes to be able to glimpse back on where we started and realize just how far we have come.

-Francesca

PS: Don’t forget to enter the Three Bay B Chicks' Giveaway for the Loom Go-Tote Bag. Contest ends this Wednesday, November 19.