Kisses

My last first kiss was a few days shy of a couple of months ago.

I don't like first kisses. I know that's not a popular sentiment, but I don't. They're awkward. I mean, think about it. He's leaning toward you, but you don't know what to expect. "Should I go left or should I go right?" "Is he going to give me a quick smack on the lips, or something a little more 'in depth.'"  His lips feel strange and unfamiliar. It's just....awkward.

Second kisses are my favorite. These would be the ones that happen like five seconds after the first one, when you've broken apart, maybe said something, given him a hug, caught your breath and went back for more. Or maybe it happens later than that. Maybe you've danced another dance, or talked about the weather, or...whatever. Either way, it's a lot less awkward and a heck of a lot sweeter.

The first kiss is about learning. The second kiss is about giving in to the feeling and just completely enjoying it.

That said, I think the best thing about first kisses is the prelude.

For instance, Robb and I were in the middle of nowhere, dancing under the stars to some power ballads on his iPod. (Did I mention he's a total child of the '80s? Here was proof he speaks my language.)
So we're dancing (maybe he can tell you the exact song. I think he memorized the playlist. I'm afraid the music was the last thing I was paying attention to) when he stops and says, "I want to tell you something, but I'm afraid I might get slapped. So can I tell you something?"
Not seeing it coming, I said, "Of course."
He said, "What I want to tell you is this...."

(He most definitely did not get slapped.)

Glenn and I were sitting on a picnic table at the lake, staring out at the moonlight on the water and talking about...who knows what.
Out of the blue, he said, "It's been a long time since I've done this (meaning dating), but there's something I really want."
So I leaned in and kissed him.
He said, "Yeah. That."

Michael....I don't remember really what he said before the first "real" kiss. I think with him I just knew it was about to happen. It kind of evolved over a couple of dates, moving from hugs to quick pecks to an honest-to-goodness kiss. It was a kiss goodbye at the end of a date, and had been highly anticipated.

I wish I'd paid more attention to this a long time ago. It would have been fun to write them down. I mean, as horrible as this sounds, I don't really remember my very first kiss.

Well...okay. I remember being 6 and kissing Bo Skipper behind the Charlie Brown tree in my front yard.
We were playing house and we were the parents. We had sent Rhonda to school, conveniently located in the back yard.
We hid behind the tree because I was terrified of being caught.
"Long or short?" he'd asked.
"Short." I'd said.
I was afraid of what exactly a long kiss might entail.
So he gave me a quick smack on the lips, and then we scampered off to find my sister. I'm pretty sure I was blushing.

I remember my first "real" boyfriend. Of course I do. He was my high school sweetheart. I still see him from time to time and I love his family. But I don't remember our first kiss. (Sorry, Joe.) I'm thinking we were on my couch one Sunday after church, but I just don't remember anymore how it went down. I mean, that was 20+ years ago.

I don't remember my first kiss with Jason, nor my first kiss with Ron at all. Of course, I'm probably blocking them out. (You can't see me, but I just let out a tooth-chattering shudder.)

So now I'm curious. What are your thoughts on the subject? Oh, and please share your stories!