More years ago than I care to remember, I was getting ready to go to my 20th high school reunion, and I started thinking about little league baseball. The summer before I entered junior high school, our little league team won the championship, and the team sponsors gave each player a small sterling silver baseball to wear around our necks.

Summer gave way to fall, and I entered junior high school. I do not know when I first saw her, but like every other boy entering the seventh grade that year I was in love with the most beautiful girl I had ever seen - Barbara. Not knowing any better, I asked her out and she accepted. I do not remember how many times we dated, but at some point, I gave her my most prized possession- my silver baseball.

You learn many lessons from puppy love, and one is that it is brief. We went from junior high school to high school where Barbara and I were acquaintances but were in different circles. The boys in the seventh grade were not wrong, Barbara went on to become a high school beauty queen.

My cousin had told me what to expect at the high school reunion, she said at the 10 year reunion people had not changed much and handed out business cards. At the 20 year reunion, people's looks have changed and you just get drunk.

There I was putting on my name tag complete with a 20- year- old photograph and thinking of how I was going to ask Barbara to return the baseball. I did not know how I would go about it, I just knew I would.

About half way through the evening, there was a tap on my shoulder and when I turned around there was a woman and man standing there. I did not recognize either of them and then I looked at the name tag; it was Barbara.

After pleasantries, Barbara excused herself from her husband and took me aside. Here was my opportunity, but before I could open my mouth, she asked me if I remembered giving her a silver baseball. I said yes, and then she said it is in the top of my jewelry box, I see it every day.

Somewhere in the South Carolina low country, puppy love lives in a jewelry box.