A long time ago, WAY back in the mid-80s, I had a crush on Nicole, a classmate of mine in high school. Being the shy type and terribly insecure, I kept it mostly to myself, but I did send her some flowers and poems as a "secret admirer." Eventually she did find out and we hooked up a few times. But nothing really came out of it, and we went our separate ways after high school.

Fast forward about fifteen years to June of last year. As I was driving home from a trip to upstate New York, I discovered that Nicole was living in northeast Ohio, which was along my way home. We spent a suprising and pleasant hour or so catching up on the past before I resumed my trip home. At that time I didn't think much about it; it was a nice blast from the past, but that was it.

Well, here's the thing: ever since the fall of last year, I've been catching myself thinking about Nicole. A lot. Thinking about what she's doing, wondering what she would think about certain topics, imagining me and her together. In short, I've been having a crush on her. Again.

(And no, she's not married, nor am I, so that's not an issue. I may be a fool, but I'm not stupid.)

I had a really dangerous thought today. The big V (Valentine's Day, duh) is coming up soon. I've been thinking of sending Nicole something for it. Nothing really serious, just something innocuous and maybe a little funny, just "for old times' sake."

So now there are two voices arguing inside me, the reasonable half and the other half. The reasonable half says this: "Jon, you're almost 33. You're twice as old as when you last saw her, and you've been with other women since then. This is a silly old teenage crush, and you should know better. Just forget about Nicole, and you'll get over this mood eventually."

The other half of me says this: "Screw reason. Go with your gut and send her the gift. You have that rarest gift that everyone else on Earth would die for: a second chance. Who knows, maybe things will be different this time."

I've been having this argument with myself for so long I don't know what to believe now. Help! :confused:

Nicole might think it was nice of you to think of her if you had a nice visit. Here's just an idea from a hopeless romantic :) Send her a bouquet of pink carnations w/baby's breath and include a simple Happy Valentine's Day balloon ..nothing romantic...as you said. Just casual. I know that you can't fit too much onto those little florists cards but include a note just to let her know that you enjoyed your short visit and was thinking of her on this special day. Wish her a happy valentines' day..

You sound like you have really thought this through...if you don't try it, you'll wonder for a long time if you should have. What do you have to lose? Maybe you'll gain alot from it. Good luck ..please let us know. :)

This sounds like a romantic comedy looking for an excuse to load up a bunch of '80s songs on the soundtrack. ;)

'Sarg puts on a dress for this one!' :lol:

I say go for it!!! After you send her the flowers and Valentines card the two of you might eventually find out that that perfect partner was there in front of you 16 years ago and neither of you realized it at the time. You've got nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain in the long run.

'Sarg takes the dress off' :D

Originally posted by Cartoon_Chris
This sounds like a romantic comedy looking for an excuse to load up a bunch of '80s songs on the soundtrack. ;)

Reminds me of that song "Louise" by Human League. A guy meets his old lover at the bus stop, talks about old times and then she leaves. I still can't figure out whether that song was from the point of a guy feeling sorry for himself about what he lost, or whether it was an optimistic song where he believed that they still had a chance together.

I say it can't hurt to go for it Johnny. You never know where it might lead! :thumb: But you asked for the ladies advice, so I'll keep my nose out!

Sarg..pass the dress to Recker :) It's ok guys..I had made a thread a while back for the guys opinions and lots of the gals made suggestions too.

Johnny.;....here are a couple of songs to go on the soundtrack to what I hope ends up being a nice love story...THE SEARCH IS OVER (SURVIVOR)...CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING (REO)

Do it!!!!! :thumb: It's been said already and I'll say it again.. What have you got to lose?!!

See Johnny? That's 2 opinions from women (one is 40 yrs old and one is pregnant ..how can you argue with all those hormones flying around? LOL! ) :)

The worst that can happen is she says, "Thanx, John! I'm not ready for a romance just yet, but I'm flattered that you still think of me."

And the best she can say is yet to be determined.... ;)

If there's ever an opportunity to eliminate the "what if I would have..." factor from even one memory, take it.

To quote Farmer Ted from Sixteen Candles: "I'm a gambling man by nature, so I'd go for it!" :thumb: And please, let us know how it works out, Johnny! :)

I say, "Go for it!" Hey, you will never know unless you try. Who knows, she might be "the one" for you. If it doesn't work out, then you can at least say you tried. ;)

Oh, most definately go for it! :yesnod: I think it's really cool. You'll kick yourself over and over again if you don't atleast try. I have a feeling it will absolutely make her Valentines Day.

Two words....





DOOOO ITTTT!!!!!!

Trust me, woman love to get gifts! :D Even if she does not have feelings for you right away she just may come around. Whatever you give here will reminde her of how you feel for her. You got nothing to lose except, " I wonder, what if...."

Hey,I live in northeast Ohio...I could spie on her and see what she's all about then I can make daily reports and talk on walkie talkies and maybe even plant a bug or two.................This is getting creepy isn't it? :D

Seriously,go for it!A wise man once said"Moments are fleeting,if you come across one,grab on to it and don't let go."
(or maybe that was rabbits)Anyway,you have notheing to lose so go for it!!!

Option 2 gets my vote! it's never too late to rekindle something from the past, and an 80's romance too :thumb: hey that's pretty special! I think everyone here has answered your question! If it works out, there's plenty of time to make up for lost time!!! go for it Johnny Z!! :banana:

Look at the flipside. If you DONT do it, you'll be left with a gut wrenching feeling of regret that will nag at you forever, eating at the very depths of your soul, tormenting your inner being, etc.

So really, you have no choice. Go for it. :p

Life is way to short for regrets and what if's.. Go for it. You never know unless you try! :) Good Luck! Let us know. :)

Originally posted by Sarg
'Sarg puts on a dress for this one!' :lol:

Wally, that is a visual I did not need! :laugh:

As for what you're thinking Johnny, a wise man (my Dad) once said to me...."The meek shall inherit shit."

Go for it.

Nothing to loose for trying Johnny. Things happen for a reason. If you hadn't of seen her recently, you wouldn't be thinking about her at all and maybe it was a sign for something. So what the hell.... go for it! :thumb:

Originally posted by Johnny Z
The other half of me says this: "Screw reason. Go with your gut and send her the gift. You have that rarest gift that everyone else on Earth would die for: a second chance. Who knows, maybe things will be different this time."

Go with your gut! :D Good luck, Johnny! :thumb:

All I can say, Johnny, is that you live this life but once. Why spend countless days wondering "what might have been"? If your heart tells you to leap, do it. Besides, what is the worst that can happen... the two of you end up as closer friends? One can never have too many friends. LOSTNTHE80S has a wonderful idea with the flowers.

While listening to BBC the other day I heard a report of the results of a "luck" study. A British psychologist had conducted a study to determine why some people seem to be "luckier" than others. As it turns out, those people who seem to have better luck in life tend to listen and act on their intuition and gut reactions. Those who don't tend to be less "lucky" in life. So, on that note... listen to your instinct.

Thanks, everyone. Nothing like a little bit of group therapy to clear the heart! :ghug:

Also, now that you've made your opinions known, if I DON'T go through with this, I'll look like a bigger fool in front of even more people! :lol:

Well, it's off to the florist after work's done. Wish me luck!

Remember now Johnny...casual...don't get in there and see all those huge heart balloons and go nutzo on us :) Good luck and please let us know what you ordered.

Daisy's and yellow roses are a good choice. :) Good Luck!

I say...screw the voice of reason and go for your heart.

Easy to say, I know, since I'm not involved...but at least, she doesn't had shoot you like the majority of my ex-girlfriends would do without any hesitation if I ever cross their paths again. :lol:

Well, I did it. Went to the florist and put in an order, for delivery next Friday. (We had trouble finding someone to deliver though, because she lives a bit out in the country, so I had to come back today.)

I took your advice, Jana, on what to order: pink carnations with baby's breath, and a simple card that said, "Thought I'd send these, just for old time's sake. ; )"

So now we wait and see what happens.

Oh..that is SOOOO good. :) I wish you only the best of luck! Really..I'm a romantic and this is one of the most romantic things I have heard of for years! Keep in mind Johnny, I'm 40 yrs young...I've had my heart broken several times..but . the most wonderful man came into my life 10 years ago..he did little things like this (even though I know that it cost him) and we are going to be re-newing our vows this June :)

I'm so glad you went for it, Johnny! :thumb: Please let us know what happens...:)

What a lad, Johnny. I hope it works out for you. Best of luck... and I am sure that we all expect a report. ;)

Yeah, You've got to let us know what happens, Johnny!

I thought I'd give you all an update on the Saga of the Lost 80s Romance....

When I came in to work this morning, the first message in my e-mail folder was from Nicole. She had been out last week (including V-day) for a long convention, and when she got back on Monday evening, she walked into her office to find my nice surprise waiting for her. "Thanks for the sweet thought," she wrote.

Okay, so it's not exactly Harlequin romance material. On the other hand, it was enough to put a big smile on my face all day at work. :D

Thanks for all your support, gals (and guys!) I'm optimistic there'll be more to come. :D

Go Johnny Go! ;) :thumb:

Johnny...this could be just the beginning. In a few days, reply to her email (or even write her a short letter via snail mail..this might be better actually) and just tell her that you had been thinking of her lately and of your visit last summer. That you would like to stay in touch and possibly get together for dinner or just a nice cup of coffee the next time one of you or the other is in the area.

As I've said before, Johnny, I'm a romantic and DO believe in "fairy tales"... *sigh* :) Good luck.

Listen to Jana, you must.

<in my best Yoda voice>

LOL@Tubbs :)

Yay! I can't believe I missed this thread Johnny Z. I hope you are able to build a friendship which may lead who knows where.... ??? That was a gutsy & romantic thing to do, if she's a good 80s girl she responded real well ;)