My beautiful boy in his Nutcracker bunny suit at age three.

I’ll never forget being in a community production of Nutcracker with my son. He was the infamous bunny (it’s a Balanchine thing.) I had two roles: party guest and rodent.

I would take my son to my ballet class and he would play with another three-year-old named Katherine Bottoms. Her father is actor Joseph Bottoms and her mother was an amazing dancer who had danced with New York City Ballet.

While we moms took class, the children played together.

One day, I spotted my son lying on the floor in the dance studio. Katherine had tackled him and was on top of him.

“Promise that you’ll marry me!” she told him. It sounded more like a threat! Finally, he agreed and she got off his chest. I’m not sure if she kissed him. Of course, he ended up marrying another Catherine, who goes by Buff.

I remember having a young love. I was also three. My neighbor Victor was four and my brother was five. (Photo is me with my brother.)

One day the doorbell rang. My mom answered and Victor was standing on the steps.

“I’m sorry, Victor, Bobby is at school,” My mom explained. My brother had started kindergarten that week.

“I’m here to ask if Elizabeth can come out to play.”

“Oh!” my mom answered surprised. I do remember this happening, but I also remember my mom’s retelling it to the neighborhood coffee klatch with lots of laughter.

Victor and I played together most days. Victor ended up moving. When I was in the third or fourth grade, he came back for a visit. We were at an event with music and dancing. Maybe it was a wedding or a church social?

Without a word, he immediately grabbed my hands and twirled me around the dance floor until it was time to leave.

What memories do you have of young love or early friendships?