My Best Shot

I left my first love behind in Virginia when my family moved to Georgia. His cocky, belligerent, big-nosed, puka shell necklace-wearing, soccer-playing self was my whole 16-year-old world, and when he broke up with me for another girl I was devastated. (Now they're married, so I think it was meant to be.)

My youngest sister just broke up with hers, and I sat here and tried to think of what to tell her to make it better.

All I came up with was:

1. Stop texting him. Change his name in your phone to something like "Don't Answer." (I think she chose "Selfish.")
2. Your big sisters and your mom have all been through this exact same heartbreak, and we understand.
3. I know in your head he's doing romantic things with another girl, but really he's probably playing video games and imagining you doing naughty things with another guy.

What I really want to say is something about how I don't think you ever love someone that way again, but you're not supposed to -- that first loves are special. Something about leaving yourself open to love in the future and not letting bad boyfriends scar you, about how everyone has sleepless, lonely 3 a.m. thoughts sometimes. But all I could come up with was some reassurance that if she drunk dials her ex one night crying, she won't be the first girl to do so.

And then I promised to take her driving tomorrow.