She humiliated me and shattered my confidence. I’ll always be grateful. It was Christmas and the mistletoe was out. Everywhere I look, kisses are being exchanged. Not me though. I know better than to hope. I was different from the others. Not just because I was the only Oriental in the entire district, never mind the school. I was a skinny nerd with thick bottle top glasses. My clothes were hand-me-down and obviously so. I got free school lunches because my dad was unemployed. “I’ll kiss you Quy!” I turn as hope arises in my 10 year old heart. An oasis springing forth in the desert of exclusion. It was Shelley. I thought she didn’t like me. Whatever. She was pretty and popular. She leans in, mistletoe held high. I shut my eyes, excited and ecstatic.? Euphoric that I’ve finally been accepted. “AS IF!!” She sneered as she ran back to her cohort. I turned to see them all stood there. Pointing. Laughing. I ran. Thanks to Shelley (not her real name), when I arrived at Manchester for university, I immediately joined a gym. For the next 30 years, I worked out 3-5 times a week, come rain or shine. Only our daughter’s birth brought an end to that. One of the proudest moments of my life was when Aisha, a fellow bartender caressed my arm and said, “There’s not an ounce of fat on you is there?!” The photo is me on honeymoon. Not bad for a 46 year old eh? Steve Jobs famously said you can only connect the dots looking back. Another dot is that because of Shelley, I was unable to make the first move for most of my life. Nearly every partner I’ve ever had kissed me first. One of the reasons I knew Jade was the One, was that I was able to kiss her on our first date. I spent decades partying hard in the clubs of Manchester, Liverpool and Ibiza. I had a reputation as a gentleman - there are zero stories of me trying it on, despite ample opportunity amidst a sea of temptation. Let me tell you, it wasn’t for lack of wanting. I probably am a gentleman. But the emotional scar left by Shelley kept my hands to myself like an ever present chaperone, a chiding angel on my shoulder keeping lustful thoughts at bay. What’s the relevance of all this? Jade and I met late in life when I was 40. I’m quite sure that were it not for Shelley, I’d have children from previous relationships. I’d love them of course, but it'd make life even more complicated. Thank you Shelley. You taught me that the darkest clouds have a silver lining. You destroyed me. You made me.
You write so beautifully! I felt every emotion for you, on every line of this.And I'm no fan of Shelley ??
Quy She s too and Sexy and Beautiful for you You better not let your wife find out about her. :)) With Love and RespectRobert
I miss gym bro Quy
?Remember, your value isn't determined by someone else's actions. ??Lean on supportive people and take time to heal. ??You'll bounce back stronger. Quy Langridge-Tien ?
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9 个月It’s disheartening how one incident from way back in the past can follow us through adulthood, all relationships and even sometimes hamper our growth. People need to be more kind. Some need to do better. Sorry you had to go through that. You’ve done amazing nevertheless and are surrounded by amazing people now, which I’m very happy about! Quy ??