July 8th is the date of my first kiss, the date of many firsts. I realized that this date is always one of reflection – a marker of where I am. This year – I feel itchy, like I would like to do something a little wild and different. Well, I’ve got a new book to read…

My first kiss was in 1978 on July 8th- and the boy I kissed in Montreal while attending the International Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses was the recipient of such honor for such a shallow, shallow reason. He reminded me of Robbie Benson, and I wanted to see what a kiss was like.

Look, there just weren’t a lot of JW boys, and even fewer of them sane AND ok with a kiss.

This boy was a terrible kisser, unfortunately – and oh, did I ever get in trouble for going off alone with him! And after having listened to an hour-long sermon against disco, too!

My reputation never recovered among the JWs. There is no real sense of scale among the JWs – a kiss almost might as well be fornication.

Wasn’t worth it, not in any way. But I still remember the date, cuz I’m such a girl about things like that. Anyway, it’s a reinforcing sort of thing. There are some other important personal anniversaries that happened to fall on July 8th. It’s just my month for stuff. I love July.

So, moving on, Robbie Benson has a website – and he’s still a total cutie. I like the music from “Open Heart” that plays on the site – looks like he’s still married to the same wonderful woman (Karla DeVito, any relation?). Not sure about those names he gave the kids (Lyric and Zephyr).

He directed an episode of “Friends”? He was the voice of the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast”? Well, it looks like he’s done a lot of interesting things since…. well, um….”Ode to Billy Joe,” “One on One,” and especially “Ice Castles.” Yes, I was just that corny when I was young. Hey! I was only a teeny-bopper – and Robbie Benson had nice brown hair, those big big eyes, that mouth….

So here’s to Robbie Benson – Long life and happiness to you and yours!