During the summer after fifth grade, I went to sleep away camp for a week. It was 1985 and one of the hit songs of the summer was “On My Own” by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. That really isn’t important to the story, but I just thought I add that little morsel of knowledge in there in case you ever need it in a trivia situation.
Camp, to me, was fabulous! It was my first time away from home where I wasn’t staying with family, but being cared for by responsible TEENAGERS. I adored the cabin I shared with other squealing girls, it was like we were all grown up, living in our own house. The smell of wood and bug spray permeated the air, as did the scent of Payday candybars (nonmelting!). Each day was spent eating at the mess hall, complaining about the food (but secretly LOVING it), swimming, crafts with sticks and yarn, and all sorts of other camp-like activities. It was very campy.
On the next to last day of camp, I hit a significant milestone in my physical development. Laying upon my cot, chatting and giggling with the other girls, I remember rolling over onto my stomach to fall asleep and feeling…something. Where my flat chest once resided, were now two knots?! Literally overnight (or overday?) I had sprouted little boobies. I felt so different and grown up, like a real WOMAN.
The next day, I held my head up proudly and stuck out my chest to show off my new knockers. I was sure everyone was looking at me and thinking, “wow! She got her boobies!” Really, though, they were probably thinking, “Oh that poor girl. What an awkward stage she’s in.”
Um, yeah, so I guess that’s the end of the story. Huh? This idea seemed better in my head. Just wait until I tell you the story about when I started my period on the last day of 7th grade while wearing a white dress. Now THAT is an AWESOME story.
VDog
July 3, 2008 at 12:32 am
First, bitches!! Aww, yeah!! (Hee.)
So endearingly awkward.
Can’t WAIT for the next installment!
VDogs last blog post..From the VDog School of Cracker Home Repair
flickrlovr
July 3, 2008 at 1:21 am
Oh Jennifer. Only you would write about that lovely stage of blossoming and “breast buds” (eek!) as my dear old Mom called them. Awkward at its best.
I’ll be waiting with baited breath for the “I Wore That White Dress And Dammit Got My 1st Period In It” story…
flickrlovrs last blog post..Going Through Kid Withdrawal
the dragonfly
July 3, 2008 at 4:15 am
Too funny. Me, though, I don’t remember that at all (in my life). Maybe it hasn’t happened yet. I think it was only after I got pregnant that I noticed I even had breasts…and now they’re gone. Hee hee
MizFit
July 3, 2008 at 5:49 am
I cringe at the phrase breast buds as well although a quick glance at my chest indicates thats pretty much all I have now as well.
sigh.
M.
MizFits last blog post..food glorious food.
Mary Beth
July 3, 2008 at 6:44 am
I went away to sleepaway camp in 5th grade too only it was just for 3 days. The only thing I remember (and that everyone in my family not only remembers but never fails to remind me) is that I walked off the deep end of the dock in heavy jeans when I couldn’t swim very well and had to be rescued from about 6 feet of water. When we get together, I’ll hear someone saying “Oh yeah, that’s Mary Beth – she walked off the wrong end of the dock.” Like that’s all that’s wrong with me – hee hee!
Mary Beths last blog post..THE MAGICIAN’S ASSISTANT by Ann Patchett
Maggie
July 3, 2008 at 7:08 am
How cme camping was always so cool when you are little and becames less so when you get older?
Maybe it’s because nothing exciting like waking up with boobies happens when you’re a grown up…
Maggies last blog post..Theme Thursday – Linear
Devan
July 3, 2008 at 7:08 am
haha! I remember when I got boobies. Now when I look at pics of myself I was in a very awkward stage. lol
Devans last blog post..Not my contest but still cool
andria
July 3, 2008 at 7:28 am
OMG!
I got my period the last day of seventh grade wearing a white dress too! We’re like sisters!
Did you have to sit on the side of the pool at your own end-of-year swimming party too?
andrias last blog post..So It Begins….
CourtneyRyan
July 3, 2008 at 7:55 am
Such a cute story! I too am waiting for “I Wore That White Dress And Dammit Got My 1st Period In It”…
My stories aren’t nearly as cute.
CourtneyRyans last blog post..Thursday Thirteen – Places I’d Like to Visit
Connie @ The Chronicles
July 3, 2008 at 8:08 am
What a great story!
I had to go to bible camp and it sucked! No crafts, just praying. Lots and lots of praying.
Connie @ The Chronicless last blog post..A Blog Tour…
wendz
July 3, 2008 at 8:29 am
I look forward to the period post with great anticipation Jen …….
What a good laugh to brighten up my day! Thanks.
HRH
July 3, 2008 at 8:34 am
I am laughing so hard I can’t type this:
Step away from the story!
I am so looking forward to part II about the period.
HRHs last blog post..When Holly left the spa the spa employees needed a spa day…
~JJ!
July 3, 2008 at 8:48 am
Hey I started my period on the last day of 7th grade too…No white dress though…
I can’t even remember when I sprouted boobies.
~JJ!s last blog post..He needs pants.
AMomTwoBoys
July 3, 2008 at 8:54 am
Awww…such sweet and troubling memories wrapped up with a pretty bow and lots of tears.
I got boobs, BIG ones, which EVERYONE noticed because I was 5′ tall and 80lbs soaking wet. It was pleasant. Plus, they CAME with the added bonus of STRETCH MARKS! Yay!
AMomTwoBoyss last blog post..Hey Now! A Random Bullet List!
Angie@ Keep Believing
July 3, 2008 at 9:11 am
I TOTALLY do not remember that happening to me.
I know I went from 4′8″ 8th grader show looked about 9 years old to 5′2″ (that’s where I topped out) Sophomore who was suddenly a size 34C and an insatiable appetite. But, I can’t pinpoint the day or even the in betweens.
KEEP BELIEVING
Jenna
July 3, 2008 at 9:17 am
Man, I kind of wish I remembered the moment I “got” mine. I just remember waking up one day in highschool and realizing, “Holy Crap. I’m wearing a DD bra!” and not in a braggy good way. More in a, crap-these-things-are-so-big-and-in-my-way-all-the-time way. I swear I’m getting a breast reduction after I’m done having all these babies!
Teri
July 3, 2008 at 9:43 am
Oh the memories.
And WHY THE HELL do the Aunt Flo Gawds always do that to girls. No wonder we learn to hate it soooo much.
Teris last blog post..Decisions, Decisions
Greta/Does This Blog Make Us Look Fat
July 3, 2008 at 9:56 am
Dude, I totally got my first period while riding the Matterhorn at Cedar Point (and that’s totally not code for sex…I swear).
Greta/Does This Blog Make Us Look Fats last blog post..Founding Fathers on Food – John Adams
Soliloquy
July 3, 2008 at 10:11 am
Sheesh. I’m 37 and I’m still in that awkward phase.
I can’t wait to roll over and feel boobies.
Don’t forget to follow my Boob Job review…..
For real.
McCathy
July 3, 2008 at 10:40 am
I don’t remember when I got my boobies – but I do remember being hit in the boobies with a basketball in Junior High – AND IT HURT. Damn boobies.
McCathys last blog post..In case "Find a husband for my daughter" is on one of your lists of things to do…
Sarah
July 3, 2008 at 10:41 am
I don’t remember when i sprouted my first boobies (yes, I said first. I’ve had about 6 levels of boobies…the second two being the most significant).
I do remember December of my senior year of high school (coincidentally shortly after I lost my v-inity) my boobs hurting…a LOT for several weeks. Then, all of a sudden I didn’t fit into my tiny little A-cups…I required…not B…but C cups. In about 3 weeks time. Very odd for a tiny dancer (yes, I said Tiny Dancer, shut up).
ali
July 3, 2008 at 10:46 am
i can ONLY think of the scene in sixteen candles where the grandmother says “look Fred, she’s gotten her boobies! and they are so perky!”
hahaha!
Marti
July 3, 2008 at 11:12 am
I can’t remember when I first “sprouted” probably since it took so long.
I am LOL at your story!!! and I can not wait for your period story. I bet it sucked!!!
Remember back in the day walking behind your friends to do “the check”? Ah the good old days.
Renee
July 3, 2008 at 11:25 am
I don’t remember when I got my boobies. But I remember starting school that fall and getting my bra strap snapped. Stupid boys.
Renees last blog post..Anti-Icky Poo
the planet of janet
July 3, 2008 at 12:47 pm
alas, i was FIFTEEN before i got MY period in a white dress … waaaaaay after 7th grade.
does that mean i can’t be a member of the club?
the planet of janets last blog post..Random acts of blondness, part the fourth
Carrie
July 3, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Those little boobies did suddenly appear overnight, didn’t they?
Thanks for the summer camp “mammories!” – heh.
Carries last blog post..Disappearing Act
Jennifer
July 3, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Carrie, “mammories!” Hilarious!!! I just hurt myself laughing.
Worker Mommy
July 3, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Wow, I’m just impressed that you remember the day they sprouted. I’m sad to say I haven’t a clue.
Anglophile Football Fanatic
July 3, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Poor developing, Jennifer. I hated that gangly stage, too. You know what is really bad about camp? When you are the responsible teenager and all the things you thought you knew about camp prove to be wrong.
Robin
July 3, 2008 at 3:34 pm
This is so haiku worthy.
My day has now come
Little Nubbins on my chest
I’m a woman now
Love the story. I, like the others, look forward to your white dress period story. I have suffered the ill fate of white clothes and a surprise period. But it’s not quite as bad as my polka dot undies and white pants incident.
Robins last blog post..Pre Holiday Post
Molly's Mom
July 3, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Poop. Someone stole my Sixteen Candles quote thunder! I think I need to watch that movie again!
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have boobs…I was the first one of my friends to really sprout them and had an a*hole classmate feel me up daily for a couple months in 7th grade. I finally got sick of it and punched him right in the middle of science class. The teacher totally looked the other way, and a*hole never bothered me again. Damn boobs.
Molly’s Moms last blog post..In which I rant about teenagers and teenage pregnancy…
Jean
July 3, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ah camp, how I loathed thee. I got my period at camp and in order for me to swim with everyone else had to learn to use a tampon. It was such a bonding moment as my counselor is giving me instructions on insertion from the other side of the bathroom door. Oh what a treasured memory long forgotten.
Jeans last blog post..Just Because I Think You Should Know
Sandy
July 3, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I have never been to camp though I always wanted to go…
Sandys last blog post..We’re Home!
Amy
July 3, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I hated my boobies, I tried to push them back in. I got my first period at camp, and had no pads in my giant, aluminum camp trunk. Smart. I had to “borrow” from the camp director’s wife, so the entire camp knew. Good times.
lceel
July 3, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I have lived all my life without anyone, ever, revealing to me the secret of boob sprouting. I HAVE heard ‘first period’ stories, but I just figured the boob thing must be some big secret woman rite-of-passage thing, like the Elks secret handshake, you know? Wow. My life is complete.
lceels last blog post..100 Word Challenge – hour
Madness
July 3, 2008 at 7:07 pm
white dress … period … cant wait.
Madnesss last blog post..YuckMouth
manager mom
July 4, 2008 at 6:36 am
I’m STILL waiting for that little milestone to happen. At 37.
manager moms last blog post..The Last Supper
Marye~
July 4, 2008 at 3:51 pm
OMG, that so funny and sad all at the same time. My Ladybug is going off to her first camp on Monday, I hope she doesn’t come back with any extra “girls”!
Sus
July 5, 2008 at 6:40 am
I LOVED camp. And I loved ON MY OWN.
But I still haven’t sprouted boobies, even after birthing and nursing two babies, I still don’t have no boobies. Except when engorged, I generally roll over and feel nothing in particular.
mpotter
July 6, 2008 at 8:42 pm
how funny. i don’t have a memory of boobies.
but if you’re in fifth grade in 85, i guess we’re about the same age. and i did wear something like a bra in 5th grade, too.
however, i can’t wait to hear your period story.
but i bet i can top it!!
and can i say how great these 9 months have been without said period???
mpotters last blog post..surprising pregnancy symptoms
Florida Girl In Sydney
July 7, 2008 at 7:30 am
Forget the boobies part.
I LOVE CAMP.
And one time I got my period in 7th grade and the boy who pointed it out to me was my friend who I had a huge crush on.
Oh so sad.
Florida Girl In Sydneys last blog post..Weekly Battle of the Choirs–why, why, why???
elaine
July 7, 2008 at 10:15 am
I can relate to the period story more than the boobie one. I guess mine were more gradual. Oh the Joys of being a female!!
elaines last blog post..Best Shot Monday, Etc.
Michelle
July 7, 2008 at 12:02 pm
When I got boobies, it scared the shit out of me. I thought I had breast cancer.
Michelles last blog post..I-L-L…I-N-I
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You
July 7, 2008 at 9:03 pm
WHY must you continuously make me feel like I’m 90 years old? WHY?
I graduated high school on June 16th(ish), 1985.
Also? I started my period in 6th grade. So nyah!
how pathetic AM I? I used to get accused of stuffing my bra – but I totally didn’t have to… jealous bitches that they were.
Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near Yous last blog post..Responsibility
Dawn
July 7, 2008 at 9:49 pm
now you know I want to know what camp you were at
Dawns last blog post..Red Tent Alert