I would walk miles
Through the snow
Barefoot
For your smile.
I found that in the dryer on a crisp piece of paper. It was one of many love poems that come from the pants pockets of my 16 year old son.
Her name is Megan. She has replaced the beautiful and fickle Amber. Amber the girl who broke my sons heart. I’m sure Megan will break his heart too. At 16 that isn’t a bad thing, I mean it is a bad thing, but he’ll get over it. He always does. Megan is sweet and happy and popular and obviously crazy about Garrett. See me in three months and I’m sure she’ll be crazy about somebody else. The life span of an average teen romance is short and sweet (thank goodness)
My son Garrett is a popular, fun and smart 16 year old. Things on his mind are:
- Girls
- His friends
- Music
- Girls
- School
- Girls
- Clothes & Hair
- His friends
- His car
- Volunteer work
- Picking a college
- Money and how to obtain it
- The hunt
- Poetry
- Girls
Somewhere, if you continue the list, way down the list comes his sister, his dog, his parents. You get the pattern there. He is 16. You can see the pattern there. Girls. You’d think as a Vampire teen it would be all about “the hunt” but that isn’t true. That is easy for him. That comes naturally. Girls are another matter.
There is a theory that teenage boys are secret about their hearts. Some are, but a lot aren’t. Of course they are awkward and unsure. Some are “players” and “pigs” but most are not. Some only want to score and do a numbers game of most sexual partner but the majority of teen boys aren’t into that. I’ve found that most boys I know are both fascinated and terrified of girls. Most boys respect girls. Most boys admire girls.
But back to my son. He is a complete romantic with a good head on his shoulder. His dad and I have spoken to him about love and relationships (and sigh, yes, sex). We’ve also had those hard discussions that all modern Vampire parents have with their teens about relationships with Regular humans.
Then there are my brothers. My brother Max, who is also my husband’s best friend. Max is also one of those dark brooding Vampires. He enforces order in our world – yes, he is one of “those” Vampires.
He has already drilled Teddy and I on everything that could go wrong if our children get involved with regular humans. Of course we know what can go wrong. We tell Max that. Believe me, Max, with his good looks and killer charm has been involved with plenty of women of ALL kinds. But he has a point.
We’ve told Garrett that he can’t think of changing anyone into a Vampire for love. It happens but it isn’t like joining a club or a church or even getting married. It is more like cutting one’s head off – once it happens it can’t be undone. That said, Max wanted to talk to Garrett.
My brother Val, who is a much different and more relaxed and mellow kind of guy, gave Garrett and his sister Clara all sorts of advice on love. Then again, that makes no difference to Max. Max has little respect for his younger brother when it comes to life and love and past mistakes that proved to be tragic (more on that later). But that was also a long long time ago. What is it with families ALWAYS bringing up the ancient past? We all grow up and CHANGE for heaven’s sake.
Anyway, this is what Max said (in my usual bullet points because I don’t have time for anything else today)
Uncle Max’s Advice About Girls
- Your first priority should be school.
- Have fun with girls but just fun.
- Share your heart but don’t give it away.
- Don’t confuse sex with love (no matter what she says)
- Never ever consider “turning” her (turning or converting her into a Vampire – same thing)
- Don’t’ even THINK about it.
- Don’t get too serious. You have your entire life ahead of you.
- Keep writing your poetry. It is good for your heart and soul
- And DO NOT make a fool of yourself over ANY female.
- Listen to your parents.
Hope your holidays are sweet with just the right touch of drama free romance.
~ Juliette
More links on Val:
More links on Max:
- Love Life and the Mistakes of Others
- Swiss Chard and My Brooding Brother
- Away Too Long My Brother The Hunter
More links on Garrett (the short list)
- Visit from a Stranger
- Working out loss, love and life
- Broken Bones and a Typical Vampire Family
- A Public Service Announcement (from Garrett)
- Seriously Mom?
- Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts & Pluto
- Vampire Teens – Dealing with a broken heart
- A Normal Vampire Teen – Love Poems and Letting Go
- Dad, Were You Married Before…
- Excuse me? You want to convert your girlfriend into a vampire?
Vampire Maman 
wow, he actually added “listen to your parents”? As if any teen will do that… sigh.
I like your brothers.
They listen more than you think. The trick is to make them believe you’re listening to them.
Needless to say the eldest bro doesn’t listen to anyone (or he pretends he doesn’t – just like some teens)
I agree about most boys being interested in real relationships. I haven’t met a “player” yet among my boy’s friends. I think the ones I know are more romantic than the girls.
My daughter pointed out to me that “it is the boys who all love Princess Bride, a lot more than the girls.” They are more romantic…even when they get older. Either way, I love teenagers. Thanks Renae.
J.
I must say, he has excellent taste, but, as you say, at this age romance is more akin to the excitement of the moment and a new relationship and after a while teens become bored with the reality and responsibility of real romance. I remember it well.
Happy Holidays,
Paul
It is always the thrill of the chase isn’t it. Sigh. It’s a good thing teen romance is often fleeting (or we’d all be married more times than any of us can count). Thanks for visiting Paul! Always good to see your comments.