A first kiss is truly one of the best things that can happen to an adolescent; it can also be the worst. A fairy tale first kiss is extremely rare. Fireworks exploding and feet popping into the air is definitely not the norm. Knocking heads, slobbery lips and awkward chuckles seem to be a little more common. Some kisses could cause you to look back and cringe, others could bring a smile to your face. Here’s some of your very own anonymous Patriots’ first kiss encounters:

“I was so scared that my mom would find out I kissed a boy in middle school.”

“My first kiss was in middle school, 7^th grade. I was walking to the bus ramp with my boyfriend of two weeks or so and when we had to separate he pulled me in and kissed me on the cheek and then pulled me in again and kissed me on the lips. The kiss was perfect except everyone was watching which made me nervous, but overall a good experience!”

“I remember being so awkward when it came time for my first kiss. I didn’t really know what to do, so I just winged it.”

“Sparks did not fly because it was middle school… it was wet and gross I think he thought he was pecking a chicken.”

“It was surreal, my nerves flooded my body but I didn’t want to be anywhere else. It was like a movie, intense and passionate, all consuming. When we parted I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him, but at that point I just appreciated the experience, glad I had the memory, even if I never saw him again.”

“My first kiss was in 8^th grade and that’s when I knew it was lit. Not because of the guy though, the guy was ugly and annoying. It was because I realized I was almost a high schooler and got my first kiss and realized I wasn’t [promiscuous].”

“I was at the movies on a double date with my boyfriend and his best friend, as well as my best friend. Halfway through he had nudged his way closer to me and took his hand and turned my head towards his and kissed me. He was so smooth about the whole thing, but I knocked teeth with him which made everything super awkward. He looked up and asked me if it was my first time and I was so embarrassed.”

“My first kiss was better than expected. It was a little awkward getting to the point of kissing, but I was just worried about his parents walking in.”

“Well it was like a scary but exciting step at the time. It may have just been a first kiss but it kind of changed my whole perspective on relationships and how I felt about that specific person.”

“My first kiss didn’t happen until I was 13. My body was coated in goosebumps, as if I knew what was about to happen, just an innocent peck yet in that moment it was the greatest thing I had experienced in my life. But now it’s just disregard females, acquire currency.”

“I was sitting in art class and all of a sudden she called me over to her and we started talking and then she just kissed me out of nowhere.”

“Sitting on the bus after his flag football game we were talking and he hit me when he flipped his dreads then boom we kissed and it tasted like cherry chap stick.”

“Mine was in 6th grade and it was really awkward because everyone was watching and talking about it.”

“My first kiss was definitely awkward, I told him that I had done it before when I really hadn’t and I pretended to know what I was doing which made it worse, when he leaned in I got scared and pulled away but then I went back in and kissed him. To be honest I didn’t find it very enjoyable at all, I was expecting some Disney Magic but it was more awkward.”

“Well it was the 4th grade and it was nothing like I thought it would be. The girl stuck her tongue in my mouth and I thought she was crazy for the rest of the year.”

“Basically it was really awkward since I thought he was leaning in for a hug when he was actually going in for a kiss… so he kissed my shoulder instead. So then we kissed! He was a sweet guy for sure.”

Whether your first kiss gave you tingles down your spine, made your cheeks fire engine red, left butterflies in your stomach or a bad taste in your mouth, it is common for it to occur around the time you’re in middle or high school. For some of us, it hasn’t happened yet. Everyone’s experience is different, and gives many of us a way to relate to one another. Sharing these majestic or cringe worthy encounters can comfort you or even give you some comic relief!