In recent conversations with friends who have teenagers, the topic of the “first kiss” has become a hot subject. Some of their kids have eagerly embraced this rite of passage, while others yearn for that special moment as passionately as I crave my morning coffee. Then there are those who are more captivated by their digital lives—after all, Minecraft and TikTok often seem more appealing than the unpredictability of teenage emotions.
Most people are fortunate enough to experience a few exhilarating kisses throughout their lives—moments that can make you a believer in fate, destiny, or at the very least, the intoxicating allure of chemistry. However, unless you’re living out a romantic comedy, it’s likely that your first kiss was a bit of a letdown. My inaugural encounter was certainly memorable, albeit in an odd way.
My Two Soap Opera Heartthrobs
At 14, I found myself a regular on the ABC soap opera One Life to Cherish (I’ve shared a bit about how that came to be here). In the early 1980s, the passionate romance of Luke and Laura on General Hospital attracted a youthful audience, prompting the producers of One Life to Cherish to create a love triangle for my character, Cassie Callison. She was the estranged teenage daughter of Llanview’s notorious villain, and the producers decided she needed not just one, but two suitors vying for her affection—one a polished country club type adored by her snobbish mother, and the other a rebellious mechanic with a troubled past.
During a hurried meeting with the producer and my mother, who was anxious for age-appropriate storylines, he whimsically suggested that surely I must have at least two boyfriends myself.
In Reality, I Had None
Unlike Cassie, I was boyfriend-less at 14. My crushes were limited to teen heartthrobs like Jonathan Taylor Thomas and the boys from The Backstreet Boys. I had diligently cut out their pictures from magazines and plastered them on my bedroom wall. My education had taken place in an all-girls school, leaving boys both fascinating and a tad intimidating. My friends spoke of boys’ lips and smiles with a longing I had yet to grasp.
The Day I Smooched 14 Boys at 14
On a bright April day, I was set to film my first kisses with 14 different actors on set. The network had scheduled simultaneous auditions for both boy characters, culminating in passionate kisses. Although my mother wanted to express my inexperience, I insisted she remain quiet, confident in my ability to handle the situation.
As I descended into the makeup room, I spotted my 14 potential suitors—some clean-cut and well-groomed, others grungy and edgy. They were all stunning. One particularly handsome guy caught my eye—he had sandy hair and dimples, embodying the perfect mix of preppy and bad boy. In that moment, I grasped the essence of attraction: wanting to kiss someone’s dimples.
With nerves bubbling, I called my sister for advice. She had recently schooled me on the four “bases” and could likely help me navigate kissing 14 gorgeous boys in front of a camera. When I couldn’t reach her, I called my mother, who offered some surprisingly sound advice, including her amusing technique for easing nerves.
A Sampler of Kisses
That afternoon turned into a crash course on kissing. Though it wasn’t romantic, I learned invaluable lessons that would have taken years to acquire otherwise. Among the actors, there was a “hygienist” who explored my mouth in a rather alarming manner, and a “fencer” who engaged in a chaotic duel with his tongue. Yet in the midst of this whirlwind, I experienced one truly special kiss—effortless and electric, where time stood still, and a spark ignited.
That spark was with Dimple Guy. Though he didn’t land a role, a few months later he returned as my new love interest. We practiced our kissing scenes both on and off camera.
Navigating First Experiences
Reflecting on that surreal day, I took my mother’s wisdom to heart and pretended to be more confident than I felt. Life’s milestones often involve a blend of uncertainty and trust that no one truly knows the secret to the perfect first moments—whether in love, career, or even the journey into parenthood.
Despite the potential for awkwardness, my experiences taught me that perfection is not a requirement; instead, it’s about finding beauty amidst the chaos of our firsts.
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Summary
Navigating the complexities of first kisses during adolescence can be both awkward and enlightening. From experiences on a soap opera set to understanding the nuances of attraction, this journey highlights the imperfection inherent in life’s milestones. While the ideal first kiss may be elusive, it’s the lessons learned that truly shape our experiences.