We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...

We Climbed before the Klimb 4 Kim...
1997's Climb

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Westgate Mall

    I'd like to get in a few fond memories over the next few days if I can...here's how it all began for Kim and I...
 Back in 1976, when we were in 7th grade, the 'cool' thing to do was to walk up to the mall with your buddies and hang out at Record City, seeing what new vinyl had come in.  I'll never forget that November day, when Jim Durner, Jerry Mooney and myself were flipping through 45's, looking for our favorite singles.  My buddy, Jerry, was looking out of the store into the mall and said 'wow...' we all looked up and saw two girls going past...we went out into the mall and followed them.  In front of a store called Hickory Farms, one of them glanced over her shoulder - freezing me with deep blue eyes...locking for one sweet moment...and I was lost.  We followed her, Kimmy of course, and her friend, Tracy (they have been great friends all of these years!), but I could not find the courage to speak to someone so beautiful...
    I couldn't get her off of my mind the rest of the weekend.  Imagine my surprise, on Monday morning, when this radiant young lady walked into my English class, in slow motion, catching my eyes, briefly, before sitting down.  I couldn't believe I hadn't seen her before and made every effort to impress her over the next few weeks.  Of course, I didn't know what to say, so I relied on other ways to win her over...
    The next day, I got to English early, and climbed into a large, armoir like bookcase that we had in class, knowing the teacher would open it first thing, as we were reading 'The Pearl', as a class.  When she swung open the double doors, there I sat on a shelf, pretending to be engrossed in the book.  I casually got up, walked to my seat, like it was perfectly natural for me to be in there, saying nothing.  It got a good laugh, and I was warmed to see, the girl of my dreams, Kim, spare me a smile, which lit me up for the rest of my life.  The classroom was on the first floor, and sometimes, when the teacher's back was to the class, I'd get up and hop out of the window.  I'd come back in through the front door and get back to my seat.  I was very mature, eh?
   Over the next few weeks, I was finally able to bring myself to speak to her and found her so incredibly down to earth, with a soft, angelic voice and a wonderful laugh...over the next four months or so, we dated and became great friends - my very first for real girlfriend.  We loved to walk home after school together, holding hands, and grab a twin pop at Mike's corner store on 7th and Union Blvd - her favorite was vanilla flavor, mine rootbeer.  I would often ride my skateboard the three blocks down the street from my house to hers, bringing with me my posse of friends to further impress her with how cool I was.  We'd sit on her front porch and talk.
   School dances were the best.  Again, I'd be with all of my friends, and when a slow song came on, Kim and I would go out and dance together...she always smelled so good!  After the dance, we'd walk the couple of miles to Burger King and eat burgers and then walk slowly home, not wanting the evening to end...
   This was the beginning of 33 years of friendship...Thank you Kimmy, I love you...
Love, Dave

13 comments:

  1. What a great story! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to read more....
    Love,
    Nicole Mikkelson

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  2. Oh my gosh Dave!! I hope you continue to write these memories for us all! It's like reading a good novel! That was so darn funny, I can picture it perfectly! This kind of memory is exactly what I needed today! Feels good to smile real smiles again! Keep em coming!!

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  3. Dave, that is the sweetest story! Thank you for sharing your memories. I am grateful that God granted me the privilege to meet the Conca's for the short time I worked at CWE. I was telling Mary about the time Kim saw me in my Spongebob pj's for pajama day, let's just say her hysterical laughter was contagious. And how she and I cried in the kinder pod on my last day and she made me her famous pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing...yummy!

    Love,

    Priscilla Gordon

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  4. Dave - You and Kim had something truly special! What a beautiful and inspirational story. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.

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  5. Awww, that is so sweet!! Thanks for sharing!! I think you should write a book for your kids. You are a fabulous writer!!

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  6. Dave,
    Thanks for sharing those heartwarming and funny memories of you and Kim. It was great to laugh today. I hope you will keep them coming.
    PROVERBS 17:22
    A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!

    We prayed for you and the "bambinis" today at Bible study.
    Love, Eva

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  7. What a great story! It made me cry and laugh :) Sarah

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  8. Dave,
    As I was reading this tonight (with more tears) I was thinking of the snippits Kim would tell of the 2 of you. And like Ami, I wanted to keep reading your story. It's what fairytales are made of! Keep those memories alive and I hope you continue to share them. Oxox
    Jaymee

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  9. Wow, I can't figure out how to post this!!! I have written this out 3 times. Anyway, I am Dave's younger sister (5 years younger). I loved reading the Westgate story, especially since I can place myself into all of those places since I grew up there. Bottom line, Kim was amazing and one of a kind. Dave loved her beyond belief. My earliest memories are when I would wake up to go to the bathroom or something and Dave and Kim were cozy on the couch. Kim painted a beautiful picture of my dog, Brandy, that I will cherish always. Dave and Kim came to visit me in college and stayed on a nasty pull out couch in a house with 5 girls. When Jason and I got married, Kim and Dave drove all the way from Tucson to State College, PA with a 6 week old. At our reception, Kim held Cody close to her and danced with him while crying tears of joy. Dave and Kim asked us to be Cody's Godparents at our wedding as well. They went on to be there for us when we moved to Albuquerque, NM. Cheered us on with our pregnancy with Kaitlyn. Kim gave me my baby shower and decorated our apartment and gave us a beautiful baby swing. Once we had our little girl, Kim, Dave and Cody were one of our first visitors. I remember the first time we visited their house with baby Kaitlyn, they had a special bath seat set up for her, a bunch of toys and a swing as well. When I went to giver her a bath, Kim came in and put on some kids music. It made the bath so much more tolerable and I continued to do that at home. She was amazing, I can't believe she is gone...God bless Dave and those 3 sweet children. Love, Lauren

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  10. Dave~ What a wonderful way to start my day! :) You and Kimmy go WAY back! I really didn't realize HOW far back. My goodness! :) She has been a part of your life for so very long. Thank you for sharing the "How I Met Kimmy" story. I agree with one of your other comments here....it sounds like a fairy tale and YOU are an amazing writer! What a gift as this is such a wonderful way of documenting all of the special moments. This is something that your children can cherish forever! I will continue to read your "reminiscing" posts. :) Kimmy will remain in my heart always!
    I remember how very kind she was each time I would see her. She was always so very complimentary of my children and this always touched me. I remember how beautifully she decorated your home. It was pretty but it was WARM and cozy. I remember Autumn's baptismal party and how Kim had each food item marked with a little stick and sign naming each dish. I always wondered..."how could someone have the time and energy to do such amazing things?" I have never forgotten this and have shared this with so many people. I loved her sweet and warm presence. She was a remarkable woman, married to a remarkable man with remarkable children. :) God bless you as you remember these special qualities and times. I enjoyed listening to your new song posted here. Just as the last song, so meaningful and sweet. Cindy :)

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  11. This is beautiful. Really beautiful.
    Suzanne Logsdon, RVMS

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  12. Thanks Dave. Every memory you share with is one more memory of Kim and your family added to mine. When Courtney left Tucson Kim took care of me. We became close by going to La Maraposa. We would work out for 2-3 hrs then go eat at the coffee exchange defeating the whole purpose of working out. We would laugh as the bambinos entertained us. Kim's smile is so contagious I can see why you could not get it out of your head.
    I look forward to more memories. Like I said before, this is a book you just can't put down.
    It is snowing her in MD so i hope you are all keeping warm in AZ. I just picked TJ up at the airport and it took us 5.5 hrs VS 2.5 hrs,

    Karene

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  13. Dear Dave,

    I still remember the first time Ed and I met your wonderful family; there were only three of you at the time. We were playing in the park with Nick, and you guys were there with Cody. Of course, you and Ed instantly bonded over the Orioles!

    It's been a joy to watch your family grow along with ours and a priviledge to have you in our lives. Your marriage and devotion to your children have always served as an example of what family can and should be.

    Kim will live on, not only in your beautiful children, but in the hearts of everyone who had the honor to know her. Her life was far too short, but I know she lived every moment of it with love; spreading warmth and kindness to all who were lucky enough to cross her path.

    Thank you for sharing her journey and your beautiful memories (which, I have a feeling, will make a wonderful book one day).

    Love,
    Theresa & Ed Mercurio-Sakwa

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