Is True Love a Real Phenomenon, Or Just a Fable?
Marcus Ryle
Oct. 4, 2024
Have you ever wondered if the idea of true love at first sight is simply a charming myth? This question didn’t cross my mind when I was 13. At that age, I was just beginning to notice girls, while the concept of love was still elusive. However, everything shifted when I was introduced to a moment that would change my life forever.
Music was my primary passion back then. I spent countless hours playing keyboards with friends, dreaming of rock stardom. I was into bands like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but I also adored Elton John, thanks in no small part to my older sister. When we learned he was coming to town, we pleaded with our mother to take us. True to form, she agreed, packing us into the family Ford Country Squire along with a few of my sister’s teenage friends. One of those friends brought her younger sister, a girl named Susan, along for the ride.
As the two youngest in the car, Susan and I found ourselves shoved into the backseat. It was there that I felt something entirely new. She was striking, with long brown hair and a smile that lit up her face. I was instantly taken with her, forgetting the purpose of our trip as I was drawn into our conversation.
Upon arriving at the Fabulous Forum for the concert, I secured a seat next to her, but my focus often drifted away from Elton to her. I marveled at her singing along to classics like “Benny and the Jets,” wondering if she felt the same chemistry that was electrifying the air between us. Could she see past my braces and glasses?
Back at Portola Junior High, I sought every chance to see her. Though she was a year younger, I navigated the school corridors, looking for ways to interact. I’d surprise her with new Elton John albums and would frequently call her just to chat, even once getting scolded for hogging the phone line.
My affection for her bloomed. She was clever, funny, and shared my deep love for music. It wasn’t long before I worked up the nerve to confess my feelings in person. I went to her house, peeled back layers of adoration, and boldly stated my belief that we would one day marry. She listened with grace, gently telling me she didn’t reciprocate those feelings, but hoped we could remain friends. My heart cracked but I held onto the flicker of hope.
Over the years, our paths diverged, yet we maintained intermittent communication. I played in various bands while she shined in her high school choir, and we shared our lives over long phone calls. When my family moved to Westchester, and hers to Westlake Village, the distance posed a challenge, but fate had other plans.
That summer, she dropped by my neighborhood with her sister, reigniting feelings from three years prior. Stripped of my braces and sporting contacts, I looked different. If only she noticed. Interestingly, she nonchalantly suggested we could actually go out sometime—I jumped at the opportunity and planned our first date with excitement. We went ice skating at Topanga Plaza and enjoyed burgers at Carl’s Jr. She had a playful side—claiming ineptitude in skating, she glided past me effortlessly, her laughter filling the air.
Our date concluded with our first kiss, a moment I’d envisioned since that first concert, and we became inseparable from that point on.
Fast forward to Sunday, marking half a century since that unforgettable Elton John concert. Over the years, Susan and I have created a beautiful life together, playing music, building a business, and raising two amazing children. We even welcomed a grandchild into our family. Our time together is punctuated by our love for music and countless Elton John concerts—an enduring soundtrack to our lives.
In reflecting on those early feelings of “love at first sight,” I realize I’ve been blessed with that same spark with Susan every single day for 50 years.
Marcus Ryle is a seasoned strategic advisor for audio and musical instrument companies, with a rich history as a studio musician and product designer. Based in Ventura County, he and Susan continue to create musical memories together at home.