In Episode 227 of Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids, I shared two hilariously awkward stories about teenage Andru navigating the complex world of crushes and growing up.

They kicked off the episode with a poem I wrote about a girl named Grace. Later in the episode, at the 18:00 mark, I shared another story about navigating fidelity as a teenager.

It all started at a birthday party for a girl named Sarah, where a simple kiss turned into a dramatic game of Spin the Bottle and Seven Minutes in Heaven, leading to some conflicting emotions involving another girl named Ashley.

Looking back as an adult, I can see the humor in how teenage me tried to make sense of it all. At the time, it felt like a big deal, but it’s a perfect example of how teenagers awkwardly explore relationships and growing up. While I can laugh at it now, I also see how I was conflicted and learned from those moments. It’s a story I think most of us can relate to, as we’ve all had those teenage experiences of navigating emotions, crushes, and figuring ourselves out.

Catch the full episode, recorded live at The Tranzac Club in Toronto, ON, for more stories of awkward teenage adventures!