My first love in high school. I remember it well.

Madisonville, Kentucky, at a choral event.

Although I was a Caldwell County High School Choral Group member, I didn’t sing much—well, really, not at all.

I just mouthed the words. Mrs. Allo needed boys to fill out the choir requirements. Seriously, that was her instruction to me.

Luckily, I stood beside my friend, Mike Oliver, a marvelous tenor.

I joined the chorus because Mike dated Monty, and I wanted to date Cheri, her big sister. Cheri knew better.

They were both in the chorus.

Have you ever seen the Andy Griffith show where Barney sings in the choir at this big Mayberry event?

He is so bad he is eventually told just to mouth the words and let the microphone do the work, and backstage, Raf Hollister sings in a beautiful baritone voice instead.

Then you know my history.

But indignity and lack of talent did not stop me from pursuing my love.

Mrs. Allo always found me a part in the musicals. Monty and Cheri were always in them as well.

Follow the storyline here.

Of course, My Fair Lady, The King and I, and The Music Man were all nonsigning parts.

Roles that later, I am sure Mrs. Allo regretted casting me in; I always did the dreaded ad-libbing.

I went for a laugh, no matter how serious I was. Minor speaking roles turned into my tour de force.

I even cracked up Buddy Cash, the King of Siam — Dr. Ralph Cash, Jr. later in life.

But love I found. Thankful to be in the chorus, I was.

Blonde brownies with cold milk on a hot day in spring. I remember it like yesterday.

The first one I ever ate was standing next to Mike. I sighed.

Mike, I am in love.

The look on his face was, at best, quizzical.

Then, I broke off a piece of the blondie nugget because I am the man I am and shared it.

He agreed. I could tell by the look on his face as it melted in his mouth. His tenor improved that day.

Brown butter. A deep amber color. Nutty smell. And moist.

All for 25 cents plus a nickel for cold milk.

Indeed, it was my first love.

Well.

Cheri graduated from the University of Kentucky and became a minister of music.

Monty died way too early of diabetes.

And sadly, I have lost touch with Mike.

I believe he became a minister of music.

If anyone knows how I can contact him, please let me know.

I have a blondie recipe to share.