Is true love at first sight merely a fairy tale, or can it happen to anyone? These thoughts were foreign to me at 13. I was just getting to know girls, while the concept of true love remained nothing but an abstraction. That would soon change. My first love was music. I played keyboards in bands, aiming to become a rock star. I admired bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes, but my sister and I were also huge fans of Elton John. When we discovered he was set to perform locally, we persuaded our mother to take us. She obliged and packed the car with me, my sister, and her teenage friends. One friend invited her younger sister, Susan, along for the ride. As the two youngest, Susan and I ended up in the back seat of our Ford Country Squire station wagon.
In that small space, I began to feel something unfamiliar. She was tall and captivating, with long brown hair and bright brown eyes that sparkled with laughter. I felt a rush of emotion and almost forgot the reason for our long trip to Inglewood. Is this what true love is like? Once inside the Fabulous Forum, I managed to sit next to her. While Elton delivered his performance, I found my mind drifting to her more than the music. She sang joyously to “Benny and the Jets” and “Crocodile Rock,” and I couldn’t help but wonder: was she feeling what I felt? Did she notice me at all, despite my braces and glasses?
Back at Portola Junior High School in Tarzana, I sought every opportunity to encounter her. Being a grade above, I scoured the courtyard during lunchtime and between classes, all while devising reasons to chat. A perfect excuse was discussing the latest Elton album. I even surprised her once with a new release, and we developed a habit of lengthy phone calls until siblings interrupted our conversations.
My affection for her deepened as I admired her intelligence, humor, and kindness. How could anyone be more suited for me? Eventually, I mustered the courage to declare my love. I approached her home and shared my feelings, hoping she felt the same. With utmost kindness, she explained that she didn’t. She wished to remain friends, and while crushed, I clung to the notion of hope.
Over the years, we kept in touch, albeit sporadically. I continued playing in bands while she blossomed as a star in her high school choir. By the time I turned 16, my family moved to Westchester, near Los Angeles International Airport, while hers went further north to Westlake Village. The distance made it trickier to maintain contact, yet I still held onto a flicker of hope. Miraculously, that summer, Susan and her sister visited our area.
As Susan stepped out of the car, I relived that rush of emotion from three years prior. This time, I had lost the braces and glasses, and I was now taller. Out of the blue, she suggested we go out sometime. I wasn’t letting “sometime” slide by, so I planned our first date swiftly—ice skating at Topanga Plaza, followed by dinner at Carl’s Jr. It was effortless to converse with her, and she captivated me with her playful spirit. Despite claiming she couldn’t skate, she glided gracefully around me all night. It was the first of many moments that proved Susan was never one to underestimate. We ended the evening with our first kiss, something I had long anticipated since that first concert.
As we celebrated 50 years since that impactful Elton John concert on October 6, 1974, I reflected on the journey we’ve shared. Susan and I played music together, launched businesses, and traveled extensively. We’ve now enjoyed over 42 years of marriage, raising two incredible children, and embracing grandparenthood. And yes, we’ve been to countless Elton John shows, but through it all, my heart continues to experience that “love at first sight” feeling every time I see her.