How do you remember your first crush?

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock & Roll was born on January 8, 1935.

He would have been 80 today. As far as millions are concerned, he

left us too soon.

I remember seeing Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show performing Hound Dog.

I was just a little girl, but I was instantly smitten. Elvis was my first

realization of the attraction of the opposite sex. (Sorry Pop.)

He was handsome, spoke with an elegant soft southern accent

and boy could he move! And he did have a singular voice that many

have copied since, however, Elvis was the first Elvis!

From puberty through my teens I purchased every Elvis album and

I saw every Elvis movie. My best friend Ginny had to endure my

gushing plans to marry Elvis when I grew up.

I was, indeed, dejected when the news revealed that Elvis married

Priscilla in Vegas. It was the spring of my senior year and I had

plans to go find Elvis after I graduated.

Nonetheless, I continued to love Elvis from afar.

A few months before I was to be married, my college friend, Sharon

surprised me with a ticket to see Elvis in Seattle. We were not

disappointed!  Elvis was still trim and energetic and performed

in the round, dancing to each section of the audience in his stellar

way. He was every bit the STAR I had imagined him to be!

When Elvis died, suddenly, at 42, I cried as if he was ripped directly

from me, as I am fairly sure millions of women of our generation

felt that same sudden severing of that love cord from his heart

to ours.

Elvis was so beloved that there were sightings for years afterward.

People simply could not let go.

Elvis impersonators flowered everywhere.

It is still one of my favorite fantasies to go to Vegas and get married

by an Elvis impersonator. That would be the bomb! (of course I would

have to find myself a fiancé who appreciates Elvis, too.)

The legend lives on…

Raintreepoet, reporting.