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T Finding chemistry in science class leads to milestone anniversary That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 11 | Thursday, October 31, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com his story begins, like so many stories, with the following simple statement: there was a girl. She was incredibly cute, an Irish lass with a winsome smile that could make you lightheaded and, if ashed for your exclusive bene t, leave you on the verge of vertigo. She was smart and sweet and shy. To me, she also seemed super savvy in the way that teenage girls tend to be miles more mature and intrinsically aware of everyday life than teenage boys. She sat across from me in Grade 10 science class. And while we indeed shared chemistry, I harbored no delusions. I believed this girl to be so far out of my league that I could barely begin to conjure up a daydream of us being together before a voice would pop up in the back of my head: "Yeah, right." Then, one crisp and breezy October night, under the cover of a darkness made more innite by clouds and a canopy of light-blocking trees, the gods smiled upon me. And she asked me out. I repeat: She. Asked. Me. Out. We were in a park, in the midst of one of those unauthorized pep rallies that were held on Thursday nights before Friday football games. Hugely popular, these rallies began at nightfall and abruptly ended at the rst sound of sirens, announcing the imminent arriving of police. It was in that darkness that she some- how found me, grabbed my elbow, turned me toward her, and asked if I'd accompany her to the annual Sadie Hawkins Dance. Uncork the champagne of love metaphors, play the soundtrack of silly love songs, generously apply the thick and gooey language of love. I tried to reply to her invitation, but just as my heart was harpooned, my tongue was tied. As I nally nodded in goofy agreement, sirens sounded off in the distance. Dance day, Nov. 2, so many misty years ago. Late on that sun-splashed afternoon I took a handoff from our quarterback, scampered for a touchdown, and reveled in the knowledge that she was in attendance. By the time she left to head home and prep for the dance, I had three touchdowns and was looking every inch the local hero. But, again, it was just the gods smiling down on me. Later in the game, thankfully in her absence, I dropped two sure touchdown passes, earning the derision of my teammates and the nickname Hands of Stone. A picture exists of us at the dance, a snared slice of time frozen by a Polaroid Instamatic. I barely recognize us in the snapshot. I'm wearing the long hair that was in style and the attitude that, for teenage boys, never goes out of style. And she is wearing that smile. After the Sadie, I told my parents that I'd met "the one." They reminded that I was all of 15-years-old. But I knew. I swear, I knew. There was a girl. She grew up. Actually, we grew up together. This weekend, we will celebrate a milestone anniversary of that rst date, one of those anniversaries that make you wonder at how the years have piled up. We'll reminisce and raise a toast: to having been together practically forever and, to paraphrase poet Will Sheff, to having only just begun, to be only just beginning. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www. facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter .com/thesportjesters. For more news, visit www.oakvillebeaver.com. Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood · Ceramics · Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood · Ceramics · Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood · Ceramics Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood · Ceramics · Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood · Ceramics UP TO 1/2 ALL IN-STOCK AREA RUGS... END OF YEAR CLEAR OUT! NOW ON SALE We cover WSIB claims PRICE OR LESS! SUPER DEAL! HARDWOOD FOOT PAIN? ORTHOTICS! Pair of Shoes Must mention / refer to coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offer/service. All medical receipts will be provided (tax medical benefits etc.) Expires December 15, 2013. Orthopaedic shoes FREE DESIGNER AREA RUGS Calvin Klein · Wholesale/Retail of Persian Rugs Call for details. Some restrictions apply. With purchase of Custom Orthotics! THIS WEEK'S Hardwearing Berber 12 colours Underpad - no charge Installation - No charge $7.95 sq.ft. Price includes expert installation! starting at $1.99 sq.ft. upto 75% DISCOUNTED AREA RUGS, CARPET ROLL ENDS, LAMINATES AND VINYL FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ONLY: 125 Cross Ave. TRAFALGAR VILLAGE OAKVILLE · 905-849-4472 213 Lakeshore Road East · Oakville George St. SUPERSTORE 228 KING ST. E. Hamilton · 905-546-1921 905.339.FOOT (3668) Lakeshore Rd E. Trafalgar Rd. Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood · Ceramics · Carpet · Oriental Rugs · Vinyl · Hardwood www.footsolutions.com/oakville