.
Confession time – today’s tale is fact, not fiction.
.
*The name has been changed to protect the innocent!
Back then, a date with a girl normally involved messing around in the park or sharing a sneaky puff on a cigarette!
But I had loftier intentions. I knew where the key to the church tower was hidden! Often, Millie and I’d climb to the top for a kiss and cuddle, and watch the people below.
For her seventeenth birthday, I planned a picnic up there. Before she arrived I scratched our initials within a heart on the sandstone and placed flickering tea lights on the steps.
Often, when passing the church I wonder if our etching survived the ravages of time.
.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and to Dale for the photo.
The church alongside my story is the actual venue!
Click Froggie to join in the fun!
How romantic.
I was back then!!!
💖
You must be getting along in age, to have survived the ravages of time 🙂
Battle-scarred but hanging on in there! Cheers, Linda.
And if it does survive, did you disguise the identities successfully?
No, but I doubt anyone ever goes up there!
What would survive the ravages of time…the scratchings in sandstone or something else?
The scratches, ‘something else’ disappeared many years ago!
What a sweet young man you must have been! A birthday picnic in the church tower – how romantic!
I know! The nearest I’d get to that these days would be a supermarket sandwich in a car park!
Being naughty is especially exciting at church… like laughing. 😀
Amen to that! Cheers, Susan.
Oh, Keith, I did enjoy this story of your little tryst up the stairs. Nicely told,
I’m pleased! Thanks so much, Bill.
Is the key still hidden there? Perhaps you could go find out…
I’ve often thought of creeping into the church when there’s no one there just to see if it’s still sitting there above the organ!
Keith,
What a romantic assignation! Whether or not the etching survived, his memory is still keen on remembering. Good one.
pax,
dora
Indeed it is. Thanks so much Dora.
Keith I love this true story and I am smiling at your diagram of where the key is. Now I wonder if *that* is still there. You may be able to find out if the etching is still there someday if it is 🙂
I often wonder too! I’d like to go up there again sometime – if I can still manage 100 or so steep spiralling stone steps!
If you do decide to do it make sure you let your readers know (and take pics!)
Oh, I will!
that’s sweet. i want to believe the etching is still there even though they might have moved on.
I’d like to think so, although my effort wasn’t as dramatic as some of the carvings up there, many going back centuries.
Nothing says I want to fool around with you like defacing a church.😀
The crenellations at the top of the tower had many names and dates chiselled into them, some going back hundreds of years – my scratching was a pretty modest attempt in comparison!
Now, that’s history!
An assignation with a view. Some guys think of everything.
Absolutely so Sandra!
Perhaps Millie wonders the same thing. When they say the words “are etched in stone . . .” I know will think of romantic assignations.
I’d like to think she remembers. Thanks, Lorriane.
Dear Keith,
I can picture this story. Very sweet and romantic. I’d be interested to know if your names are still visible. <3
Shalom,
Rochelle
I’d really like to know, but my scratchings were nothing compared to some of the intricate and ancient graffiti chiselled in the sandstone up there!
I knew it! You are (were) a romantic sort. Loved this tale of love in the church tower…
Stick with the past tense Dale! But yes, I had my moments back in the day!
Ah c’mon now… I bet you still have your moments if you are so inclined 😉
Mmmm, maybe!
What a sweet tale. Well done.
Thanks for your kind words.
Seems like the ravages of time are etched forever in your memory. Nicely told.
Too right James! Thanks so much.
Why is it that we equate vandalism with love. Sigh…. Anyway, the story is a sweet one, and that church of yours is gorgeous. I can just envision the bell tower with its assorted cobwebs and dust. I can hear the echo and sub echoes of the bell as it tolls. great story.
A few scratches are nothing compared to some of the chiselled graffiti going back hundreds of years up there. Climbing the tower was a little spooky, but once we emerged into the open air at the top it was very different. Thanks so much for your beautifully worded comment Bear.
I used to love hiding out in our bell tower at church, too. Only, I never used the stairs, and most of the time it was the middle of the night so I literally climbed the wall. I hid there from an abusive and addicted parent… or when that parent would disappear for days at a time. Quite a nice little hidey hole it was.
They are wonderful places, but so sad that you needed a haven.
What a sweet and romantic story. And from the comments I gather, that the two also kept up a long tradition. I think you should go there and look. 🙂
It is. We have several Norman castles in my area and some of the carved messages on their walls go back many centuries. Graffiti is nothing new! You’re right, I should go back!
Maybe the key is still there. You could pop up and have a look!
I probably will Ali!
Even if your rendezvous doesn’t have any remaining tangible souvenir it’s still so cute and happy
The memory is the only souvenir I need. Thanks Larry.
How romantic! I hope it survived. Lovely writing, Keith!
Me too! Thanks Brenda.
Thanks for this romantic setting of a tale.
It was nice to revisit it, even if only in words. Thanks, Susan.
HA HA I had a good chuckle from your response to Dale’s comment “Stick with the past tense Dale! But yes, I had my moments back in the day!”
Romantic youthful and sweet memories of an innocent time. I enjoyed the read and the surprising revelation.
Stay Safe 😷 Isadora 😎
I’m delighted to have entertained you, Isadora, and thank you so much..
“Loftier attentions” that one is going to make me giggle for a while. Thanks for the laugh. I needed that!
Me think, God gave you the wisdom to think up this mischief, so … God may well smiled on it (you didn’t get caught, did you?! ;)) and perhaps preserved the scratches. Or not … 😉