My First Love: Diane Laschatz

He had given her a peck of a kiss.
"Now you must never tell anyone about this, Michael," she cautioned, solemnly.
"This makes us married."
And breathlessly he promised never to reveal it.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"
PHOTO: by Shelly Burke

In a previously written blog that I wrote (dated February 27, 2009) I briefly touched on the subject of Diane Laschatz. She was my 'first love'. When I read the above line in "The Divided Path" book I thought of her once again as the excerpt brought back a brief incident from the corners of my childhood mind at our elementary school (St. Anthony's School in Oakland, California).

One Autumn Day in second grade, Diane Laschatz approached me at recess near the water fountain. She had older sisters who were going steady. I had no idea what that meant. After all, I was a very inexperienced Casanova during second grade.
"Michael, this is a very special ring. You have to put it on my finger and it means we are going steady," Diane said, as I looked at the big sparkling gem stones with wide smiling eyes.
"If you don't put it on then we have to break-up," she continued.
I took the ring and placed it on her finger. I believe a quick peck of a kiss was exchanged near that water fountain. No one seemed to notice our 'smooch' with all of the fellow classmates running and playing around. I was 'so in love'. It seemed so significant at the time. We went our separate ways in the playground as I sighed in awe of her long, flowing, thick blond hair.

PHOTO: Michael Joe Armijo
3rd Grade, St. Anthony's School

In the book, "More Die of Heartbreak" by Saul Bellow I read the following line a number of years ago and found it again:
I didn't think I'd ever figure it out--the charm of childhood sweethearts.

I wrote the following words in January 2004 on my Microsoft CyberSpot in response to the aforementioned Saul Bellow words. I found it via an internet search today:

My first grade girlfriend named Diane Laschatz will always have a hold over me. I can never figure it out either. The charm stood still all the way through fourth grade. I get an e-mail from her now and again but I haven't seen her since the mid 1960s. I still wonder about her.

I know Diane E Laschatz became Diane Laschatz-Baca. She lived in the Citrus Heights area of Sacramento and the Reno, Nevada area. I believe she is a registered nurse. In October 2005 she sent an electronic mail via www.classmates.com about a field trip photo of 'us' from the late 1960's taken at Fairyland-Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA. She was going to send a copy of the photo but I never did receive it. Bummer! I believe she resides somewhere in the Tumwater, Washington area now. I still wonder if we might reconnect again one day. Perhaps this blog will help make it happen 'sooner versus later'. I know plenty of our St. Anthony's classmates who want to reunite as well. She is not an easy one to locate.

Twenty-five years ago today:

May 12, 1984
Saturday

I woke up, dressed and drove my car and bike to “Joe’s Bike Shop” to have my flat tire repaired. When I returned home for breakfast I learned that I had just missed a telephone call from Chris Cordellos.

At 9:45AM Chris telephoned once again. We rekindled the mishap and ended up having a good talk.
“My folks bought me a house in Walnut Creek,” Chris announced.
“That’s great,” I said, wondering when he plans to move in.
“I was so pissed yesterday, then I mellowed out. I’m sorry,” Chris said apologetically.
“I apologize, too,” I blurted impulsively.
Two “I’m sorrys” make for one good make-up jabber session.

According to Chris, Jim Severn has apparently defended my position. Jim has become Chris’ better buddy now. Leandra knows of the situation and has accepted it well. Jim just wasn’t “into” her. And who knows if Jim likes boys. Chris seems to think so.
“I’m still coming on May twenty-third and we’re celebrating!” Chris said happily.
I still dwell on the words Barb shared the other day about how Jim was taking a morning bath at their house. I can't help visualizing 'things'.

I went to Bay Fair Shopping Center to have a poster print framed. I cruised along with my convertible top down on this pleasant Spring day. I caught some people turning their heads at me with ‘cool looks’. I treated myself to an army green colored shirt and a yellow sweatshirt.

My bike was ready and I felt alive again when I went biking. Mom was kind and sweet enough to drive me to “Joe’s Bike Shop”. I bought mom a print about Healthy Foods for her kitchen.

I had a nice nap. I washed my car and went bike riding again.

I remained at home the rest of the night watching boring sit-coms. I wondered what a good time Chris might be having tonight. I told him of my outing at Stargaze the previous night. He had disclosed his plans for tonight with Jim and Jeff to every club in Eureka (of which there is only one…or maybe two). There's no way it could be all that fun.