Fools rush in

I had just celebrated my 9th birthday. It was a hot, sticky summer and I was aboard a Carnival cruise ship with my family and my best friends from Poughkeepsie, New York. We were touring the Western Caribbean, spending long days by the saltwater pool tanning our pale skin. Us four young girls would return to our cramped cabins late each afternoon to assess the sun’s damage, apply loads of gooey aloe vera while peeling any burnt skin, and discuss which boys on the cruise ship were the cutest. We were at that age when just barely glancing at a guy meant the two of you were exclusively dating. It was the time of our lives.
Each night after gorging ourselves with gourmet cruise ship food, our families would retreat to the auditorium for some type of evening entertainment. Sometimes we’d watch professional dancers, singers or comedians. The best night was always the talent show, where anyone aboard the ship could participate.
The acts were always interesting to watch and most of the participants had real talent. I had no clue who I’d vote for, as everyone performed really well. That is until Mr. Right entered the stage. Looking back I’d have to guess he was about 14 or 15. I remember him as a generally handsome boy, though I couldn’t begin to describe a single one of his features. He took hold of the microphone and belted out the song “Voices that Care” (a ‘90s hit sung by a huge group of singers including Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Will Smith and Luther Vandross). I had never heard it before nor have I ever heard it again, but I KNOW that I fell in love with this boy as he sang. He became my infatuation for the duration of our trip. The fact that I never saw him again after he exited the stage didn’t even matter; in my mind, we were meant for one another. I’m also fairly certain that I had a new boyfriend the very next week. Oh summer love...
It is now only a vague memory, but one I was reminded of on my recent vacation to Jamaica. Hubby and I were walking down by the beach after a big dinner. The Jamaican live piano band was playing a variety of American hits up at the poolside bar. The band began playing “The Greatest Love of All,” a song originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson, but made popular by Whitney Houston in 1986. In hubby’s eyes grew a burning fire as the song played. It was hard to deny that it brought back some memories for him.
As hubby tells it, he was 6 years old and attending a private school in Mississippi. The school was hosting a talent show for all grades (the school went through 12th grade). A sixteen-year-old girl took the stage and belted out “The Greatest Love of All,” winning hubby’s affections for a solid year. He told me he wanted to marry this “older” woman.
If nothing else, rehashing these memories provided a good laugh for both hubby and myself, and reassured us that we’re both fools who can be easily persuaded by a heartfelt, soft rock song from the late ‘80s/early ‘90s.