Is true love something you experience at first sight, or is it simply a charming notion? These musings were far from my mind at just 13 years old. At that age, I was just beginning to notice girls, yet the concept of true love seemed like a distant fantasy. All that was about to change with a concert.
Back then, my main passion was music. I played keyboards in bands alongside my classmates, dreaming of becoming a rock star. The sounds of bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes filled my world, but my sister and I were also devoted fans of Elton John. When we found out he was scheduled to play locally, we pleaded with our mom to take us. True to form, she agreed, loading the car with my sister, her friends, and me. Among them was Susan, her younger sister who was joining us for the ride.
As fate would have it, Susan and I were squeezed into the cramped rear seats of our Ford station wagon. With her long brown hair, bright brown eyes, and dimpled smile, I was captivated. That day I felt something new stirring inside me. Was this what true love felt like?
Inside the Fabulous Forum, I made sure to sit next to her. Elton John was indeed mesmerizing, but my attention was fixed on Susan. She sang along to classics like “Benny and the Jets,” while I pondered whether she felt the same spark I did. Questions about my braces and awkwardness nagged at me as I wrestled with these thoughts, but for that moment, I was lost in her presence.
Returning to Portola Junior High School, I desperately sought chances to bump into her. Being a grade above meant I had to scout the courtyard during lunch and between classes, cleverly finding excuses to initiate conversations, particularly about Elton. One day, I even surprised her with a new album on its release date. We spent countless hours talking on the phone, delighted when neither of us had to hang up due to a sibling invading the line.
As time passed, my feelings for Susan deepened. She was smart, funny, and shared my love of music—how could there be anyone more perfect? Eventually, I mustered the courage to declare my love. One afternoon, I visited her house, pouring out my heart and sharing dreams of our future together. She listened kindly but gently explained she didn’t share those feelings, hoping we could still be friends. Naturally, I was heartbroken but naively thought this was just a bump in the road.
Life continued, with us staying in touch despite the miles between us as families moved in different directions. My love for music thrived in various bands, and Susan shone brightly in her high school choir. Yet a twist of fate led to her visiting my area one summer, and upon seeing her again, old feelings came rushing back.
This time, however, I was no longer the awkward kid. My braces were gone, contact lenses replaced my glasses, and I enjoyed a newfound height advantage. When she casually suggested we go out sometime, I eagerly agreed, setting up our first date at Topanga Plaza for ice skating followed by dinner.
Even on our date, she proved to be full of surprises—she glided gracefully on the ice, laughing as she skated circles around me. We ended the evening with our first kiss, a moment I had long envisioned since that first meeting. Now, 50 years since that unforgettable Elton John concert on October 6, 1974, Susan and I have shared a remarkable journey. A journey where we raised two wonderful children, enjoy life together, and frequently attend Elton’s concerts, feeling that initial “love at first sight” sentiment each time I see her.
The author is a semiretired strategic adviser in the music industry, previously involved as a studio musician and product designer. He and Susan, both natives of Los Angeles, have co-founded a successful guitar products company and currently reside in Ventura County, still sharing their passion for music at home. L.A. Affairs seeks your true romantic stories and compensates for published submissions.