804-335-0005.....

So many, many years ago....

Before the internet, cellular phones, twitter and facebook...

The sole means of communicating with your peers, outside of a phone call and face to face discussions, was via letters. Yes !! Actually putting pen to paper and writing a letter. We would write letters during class and pass them in the hallways. Throughout Middle School, this was our way of gaining information from one another about EVERYTHING. There was accountability to letter writing as well. If you wrote someone, you were expecting a response no more than two periods later. There was no ichat, no google chat, no twitter, texting, etc. You knew when someone got your letter, because you handed it to them directly. There was no need to see the "R" pop up somewhere like it does on Blackberry Messenger. This shit here was damn near archaic.

I was cleaning out one of my rooms upstairs and came across a familiar looking, funky, multi - colored get up. Hell, it was this gawdy Burberry bag I purchased in 2001 when Jadakiss and Styles P were rocking the Burberry bucket hats and ish. However, the treasure was not the Burberry bag. The treasure included numerous hand written letters amongst several of my friends from 1991.

Let's rewind for a second to remember 1991. Well, fact #1, it was 18 years ago. Anybody else cringing ? Nivana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and A Tribe Called Quest's "Low End Theory" both dropped and were huge hits. Whitney Houston sang the SHIT out of The Star Spangled Banner at the Superbowl, Michael Jackson signed a $1 Billion Dollar deal with Sony, Tupac released his very first album and I was transitioning from the 8th grade to the 9th grade. Now, for those outside of the Mid-South, 9th grade was still considered Middle School at the time. So, needless to say, we all thought we were hot shit.

TEEN PARTY GIRL was a cheerleader, dating a cute basketball player that SWORE he was Michael Jordan. GOOFY GIRL was getting straight A's, failing in common sense and staying out of trouble. GOSSIP GIRL was running amuck .... PERIOD.

Anywho, I figured I would share some of these small notes for shits and giggles. The scary thing is, even 18 years ago..... the same shit was going on as it is now. Peep game:

TOPIC #1: Clearance with a homegirl about a guy...

Dear TEEN PARTY GIRL,

What's up ? Nothing much here ! Well about what you wrote on the picture. What boyz ? Are you talking about Lil C and Baby T !! Well, it was a crush about Baby T and NO I don't go with Lil C. Oh, about Twon, were scraight. But anyway, I was gonna tell U about my crush on Baby T, but I didn't know how. When I found out that U knew. I really wasn't worried about it; cause U had already gotten it in a bad way. TEEN PARTY GIRL, only I know the truth. So don't listen 2 anyone else. But anyway, don't let this come between us & I'll check you later.

signed - Chex

(BACK STORY: Looking back, how the hell she gone tell me not to worry about her having a crush on my boyfriend. I still don't trust that heffa !!)

Dear TEEN PARTY GIRL,

Well, of course I won't hold it against you. I mean if you like him and all then go ahead and be with him. Other than that I don't have anything else to say and I won't let it get into our relationship as friends or let anything like this mess it up.

L.Y.L.A.S

signed - Precious

(BACK STORY: The first time I had to get clearance. She said it was cool, but I didn't believe it. I never "went with" or "talked to" the guy. I could tell she really liked him, and it's never worth it. This was NOT the last time I backed away.)

...oh this next note coming up is HILARIOUS. Let me tell you. I was in the 9th grade, dating the new guy at the school. He was the star player on our football team and VERY cute. However, like many a boyfriends to come later in life ... he couldn't spell... Oh, and he is PUT TOGETHER GIRL's cousin...

Topic #2: TEEN PARTY GIRL'S very first love letter...

TO: YOU

FROM: THE PIMP

Dear TEEN PARTY GIRL,

What's up Pimpp ?? You know I am hurt, but thats OK. even thought I was bleeding. But anyway I am sorry I did not call you back last night I fell asleep. TEEN PARTY GIRL, I you alot and I hope we stay together for I long time. If we broke up it will be because of you. See cause I will not mess up (Pimpp) I am going to end this so you can do your work or listen to the teacher.

You Boyfriend
The Mac...Just me and you Baby

WRITE BACK PIMPP

TOPIC #3: Still confused about relationships

(BACK STORY: Goofy Girl is still one of my best friends. I promise, this shit is scary. We are having the SAME conversations we had when we were 13 and we are all still confused and trying to justify dating the nice guy. )

Dear TEEN PARTY GIRL,

What's up ? Girl, my life is REALLY confusing ! I'm gonna tell you the truth. I kind of, in a way, like an 8th grader. Sick isn't it ?? I don't know why but I just do ! I mean, he's nice and he's not ugly, you should know who I'm talking about now. I'm trying not to like him, cause one of our friends also likes him. I'm not going to make a big deal of it cause if I do, everyone else will too.

But anyways, doesn't Mr. Most Handsome look nice today ? I tell you, you are a dummy if you don't go with him. The boy is FINE ! Plus, I mean you and Pigeon Toes are so far apart now, and Mr. Most Handsome is RIGHT THERE.

Now, give me your honest truthful opinion. If it doesn't work out with me and Man #1 or Man #2, whom could I go with ? I have the STRANGEST taste. But you know me well, so you could find me SOMEBODY !!

Oh girl, lemme tell you, Erica likes Tavares in the 8th grade, you know I got his phone number and he thought that I was getting it for myself. OH GOODNESS !!

But anyways, do you have cheerleading practice today ? I think that Pep Squad is, but I don't know. I gotta go to Mr. Hamilton and show him the show choir dance. Well gotta go...see ya

signed - TEEN GOOFY GIRL...

I roll my eyes when I hear the childish banter of the cheerleaders I coach now. I look at them and think to myself, "ya'll are so young...and don't know shit...". Well, from the looks of things so were we !!! How disgustingly cute....