Researching First Love

I'm writing a YA novel in which love plays a major role—the first, fluttery, uncertainty of a girl with a crush on a guy she really, really likes. I need to do a bit of research, a bit of remembering, because I want to capture all the painful magic of the experience on the page...and I've made the delightful discovery that I can commission my significant other to help me.

Maybe this idea works for me because I've been away from sweetheart and family for 5 days. I find myself savoring each moment as if we've first met. It takes me back to a snowy college night when I had my first true-love kiss.

I like it. I like the rediscovered headiness and uncertainty of first love—probably better this time around, when I'm not actually afraid of rejection or hurt. I know how this story ends.

I think I'll call this sweetheart-o-mine and ask him on a date—a goofy date that costs nothing but time and imagination, like those we used to have before jobs, marriage, kids and such. And we'll do a bit of lovely research.