Just who the heck is Darlene Kane? Well, today she is Darlene Kane-Huron; beloved wife of Jim Huron. Still don't have a clue, huh? Ok,well then let me tell you who Darlene Kane is to me.

Darlene, (or sometimes called Dolly), is probably my first real crush. I met her in the seventh grade at William Dean Howells junior high school and thought she had to be the most beautiful woman in the world. I thought she looked a lot like Debra Paget, whom I had seen playing the part of an Indian Princess. Darlene even had long pigtails like Paget. But you just had to take one look at Darlene's eyes, see how they truly sparkled, and how they lit up her entire face and everything around them. A couple of well-placed little freckles only highlighted those eyes. Super friendly smile. And friendly to everyone who would be friendly to her. She was "going with" (heck, I don't even know what that meant way back then), a friend of mine I had met at WDH. Hmmph, some friend. I don't even remember his name. But he would take her to the lunchtime movie and he and her and I would sit and watch 20 minutes of movies. I didn't care if he was with her. At least I got to see her and even sometimes talk to her. Me and my shyness was the death of me. Something just hit me. I think his name was Tom Wright. Hope I am correct.

I left WDH after the eighth grade and went to Wilbur Wright for the ninth grade. Never did forget about her though. She was the Star of so many of my dreams...lol. (Hey! Get your mind out of the gutter. These were all nice dreams.) Sakes alive, I ran into her again when I went to West Tech. We were in several classes together but mostly I remember her in Spanish Class with Miss Fanner. So funny. As seniors, we were both failing and were not going to be able to graduate unless we went to after school classes and completed back Spanish homework assignments. I had a couple of other clubs I belonged to, like Boosters and such, so I didn't get up there until 11th period. Lo and behold, there was the other half of our dynamic duo, studying and laughing our butts off. I used to clown around wayyyy too much in Spanish and kept her and Valerie Konzan (spelling???) laughing so I was probably the reason we didn't learn much in that class. Oh well...

Let me tell you how much of a crush I had on this girl. After school at WDH, she would sometimes get on a bus at Fulton and Lorain (west side) and ride all the way over to the Eastside to someplace around 54th and Superior to take some acting classes (I think). All I know is more than once I would get on the same bus, sit in the back and just look at the back of her head and ride that stupid bus over to where she would get off. I would ride up to the next stop, get off, and then catch a different bus home, back to the West side. Just for a chance to see her a little longer. Hmmm, I think today I might have gotten arrested for stalking...lol. Although I don't recall ever talking to her on those trips. Aint love grand...lol.

I think what I loved about Darlene was how beautiful she was but also how truly friendly of a person she was. She had the beauty to be the most stuck-up woman in the world, but that was just not who she was. I had the good fortune to see her in the late 80's when her and her husband came out to San Diego for some business training. She was still just as lovely and warm and the Darlene I have always known. I met Jim and I don't think there are a nicer or better couple in the world. He is a fantastic person. I took them out to dinner and while Darlene and I rehashed old memories, Jim took it upon himself to humor and occupy my kids. Such nice people.

This background music is very significant also. Darlene used to do some work on a kids TV show and on one of the shows, she actually did a pantomime of this song. I have never forgotten it. What a talented lady.

We never dated or never really hung around together that much but she has always been a part of my life. I am so thankful to have her friendship. There are just some people we meet in our life that we never forget. Darlene is just such a person. Darlene, thank you for being my friend. Knowing you has certainly enriched so much of my life. I don't know how to tell you this though, but I have to admit, a couple years ago I finally got over that crush I had on you....lol. Thanks for the memories Darlene, and continued happiness for you and Jim.