John Harsch was the first boy I had a HUGE crush on in high school. And, unbelievably to me at the time, we ended up meeting, hanging out together, and becoming best friends. We even dated off and on throughout my freshman year of high school. He was, honestly, the only boy my parents ever LIKED right from the start. He was so warm and funny and sweet, EVERYBODY adored him. Teachers and parents loved him. Every girl I knew had a crush on him, and every guy I knew hung out and played basketball and hacky sack with him. He was just like Ferris Bueller. He seemed perfect and untouchable.

Twenty years ago today, John died. He was in a car accident with a bunch of other guys we knew, off goofing around on a back country road. They rolled the vehicle they were in. Everyone got hurt; John was the only one who didn’t make it. Our whole town was in shock. The rest of the summer was just…numb. Nothing was ever the same after that.

I kept in touch with his mom for years, but I haven’t spoken to her in over five years now, since before I left Kayley’s dad. I’m thinking of her and praying for her today. I know the pain has probably subsided over the years, but I’m sure that hole in her heart will never close. I hope she knows that the boy she raised for seventeen years touched SO many lives and changed the way his friends lived and influenced the decisions we made for years; probably even the decisions we make today. Wow. Twenty YEARS! I keep imagining John being high school aged. It’s trippy to think he’d be turning 38 this year. Miss you always, cuz.

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