First love is often considered one of the most pure and sacred forms of admiration that one can experience. It’s a time when a person’s feelings are untainted by external pressures such as societal norms, money, or expectations—things that tend to cloud judgment and complicate relationships as we grow older. At that age, the only thing that truly matters is the essence of the other person, who they are at their core, without any outside influences. It’s the kind of love that feels effortless, innocent, and free from the complexities that adulthood brings. While it may not always be practical or realistic, it remains one of the most profound and genuine forms of affection one can experience.

I, too, remember fragments of my own first love, which took place when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. Back then, I didn’t fully understand what love was, but I knew that something about her was undeniably special. What’s fascinating, though, is that even now, years later, I can’t remember her name or what she looked like—those details have faded into the background of my memory. But the feeling of her presence still lingers in my heart. I remember how we met during a school picnic when everyone brought chips and soda to share. Being a scrawny little kid, I struggled to open a Pepsi can, one of those thinner cans that I think is still around today. Some of the kids laughed at me, but she came over and opened it for me, like a twist on the classic fairy tale—where the prince becomes the one in need, and the princess steps in to save the day. We chatted, made each other laugh, and even though that’s all I can recall now, it’s enough. The memory of that moment, simple as it was, still brings a smile to my face.

First love is a theme that pops up time and time again in pop culture, whether it’s the main story or a subplot, it’s always there. It’s a universal truth, a feeling that, no matter how time blurs the details, one cannot shake off.

Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest on reciprocity.

C.S. Lewis