Will you go out with me?

Some of my fondest memories of the academy were the ones of my "girlfriends." I put the word girlfriends in quotes, because honestly, relationships in the academy were like going out with your sister. Frankly, there was no where to "go out," when you were a girl's boyfriend anyway.

So here's how it would work. I would muster up the courage to ask a girl to "go out" with me. In other words, write her a note Sam or another friend would deliver for me. She'd read the note, then write me a note back to tell me whether or not she would be my girlfriend. Then, the next time we were alone, which literally took weeks sometimes, we would kiss. Sometimes we'd talk about our lives, but honestly, we all knew everything about each other. So, really, there were no surprises.

To tell you the truth, I started going out with a girl named Racquel Moran when I was in 4th grade. That's right, 4th grade! We french kissed while the a couple of older girls gave real-time critiques of the kisses. For example: "NO! tilt your head more." "Go slower." "Manny, hold her more gently." "Racquel, close your eyes!"

Racquel and I "dated" on and off until I graduated the academy in 1990. Every time a new boy or girl our age came to the school, we'd break up to date them for a while. Then, we'd get back together. Looking back, it was a really weird dynamic we shared with each other. I think we were just using one another to learn about the opposite sex. We also used each other to find out what the girls up on the other side of campus were talking about, and vica versa with the boys on my side of the school.

Racquel and I haven't spoken to each other in years. If we were to talk, I would thank her for teaching me how to respect women. She taught me that the opposite sex is more sensitive, patient and gentle.

My girlfriend always compliments me about how good a kisser I am... She shold be thanking Racquel too, I guess.