5.16.2011

First True Love ... She Always Mattered To Him

It's safe to say that Peter enjoyed the company of some very beautiful women ... some more pure of heart than others ... some ended up being featured in his songs ... some were a spotlight in his life ... some were a detriment. I hope this posting doesn't become fodder for an episode of the "Battle of the Beauties." For those of you who held a piece of Peter's heart ... and you know who you are ... we loved how Peter shared YOU with us. But, sometimes, love's first kiss stays with you for a lifetime ...

If you really mattered to Peter, he shared you with his family.  If you were special, the family never let you go ...

And with Mardie, she was always an important part of Peter's life, and the sister/aunt we adopted long ago and never let go in our hearts and in our lives. 

Pete & Mardie in Nettie's Kitchen

It was a chance glance on the D train in Brooklyn where Peter and his first true love, Mardie first saw each other.  Mardie was with her friend Dawn heading into The Village to buy feather earrings (remember those?). Peter and Josh were on the train when the two girls got on. They looked at each other from the Sheepshead Bay station all the way to Avenue M, where Peter exited. For 5 stops Mardie and Peter couldn't take their eyes off each other. Dawn was chatting away to Mardie and Josh to Peter but neither were listening to their friends.. they just stared at each other! At the Avenue M stop, Peter waved to Mardie as he got  off the train just as the doors were closing. As he stood there staring at her,  Mardie said to her friend, "That's the most beautiful face I've ever seen."

Two months later, Mardie went to a "Battle of the Bands" concert at her school, John Dewey High School in Brooklyn. On stage a band called Fallout was playing. Mardie was mesmerized when she went into the auditorium and saw that beautiful face again. Peter spotted her in the crowd and after the performance walked straight up to her and said, "Hi Train Girl. I knew I would see you again." Chills went down Mardie's entire body. She couldn't believe he remembered her face and picked her out of a packed crowd.

From that day forward, they were inseparable. They spent every moment they could with each other. Everyday Peter stood outside of Dewey H.S. waiting for Mardie so they could do something ... anything with each other. They rode the B train to Coney Island some days. Other days, they went to walk on the boardwalk for hours at a time; hours that went so fast for the young couple. They would walk around Sheepshead Bay together just so they could avoid separating. They got lost in each (add space) other like first time lovers  do. They felt like soulmates. Mardie, a petite dark-haired young beauty with a genuine laugh and soulful eyes was a perfect match to Peter's strong tall frame and gentle spirit.  It was a carefree relationship filled with laughter, support and inspiration on both sides.

"I felt the safest when I was with him," Mardie remembers. "When we were together, he listened to everything I said as if they were the most important words ever spoken !"

Peter quickly introduced Mardie to his mother, Nettie and father, Pete. At first, Nettie was worried that Peter was dating a "Jewish girl." But, after talking with Mardie she realized that Pete's gf was so much like herself - charming, beautiful, real - Nettie loved her like one of her own daughters. In fact, Peter's eldest sister, Annette (we called her Nancy) was Mardie's dad's age, "So, I fit in neatly in between the nieces -- I even gave make-up lessons to Tara in Nettie's bathroom on a regular basis," recalls Mardie. "I have so many memories of family gatherings, drinking the homemade iced tea, swimming in the pool at Nancy's house in Long Island, and just being treated like I was part of the family."

... Please come back to read Part 2 which posts on Friday, May 20th

27 comments:

  1. I am loving this story...can't wait to read the rest...thank you for sharing<3

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  2. TARA St. Ellen8:30 AM, May 16, 2011

    yes that sexy red lipstick, long black hair and tight jeans....you and my grandmother shaped my wardrobe, she added stiletoes. A big smile and a girl is fully dressed.

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  3. young love *sigh*. I am glad Peter got to share his life with wonderful, caring, loving partners. Thank you so much for this beautiful account of his first love. Mardie is a lovely lady and I am sure they made each other very happy.

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  4. A very beautiful story, can't wait for Part 2! When I see Mardie's pics with Peter, I can totally see the love, the humour, the trust, the caring... all those things that make a relationship special and deep. And when you really love someone, it's only natural that you don't mind sharing that person with your family, your most loved ones, letting him/her be a part of your world. No question about her always mattering to him.
    Much love to Mardie, from your "could've been" daughter VerĂ³nica :D

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  5. First love is always special and unforgetable!
    Love it!
    I.

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  6. This was such a sweet memory to share thank you. Aww first love is the sweetest!

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  7. Being an unconditionnal Type O fan, I relate to that story through the song Electrocute. The lyrics "We were electrocute, in our has been 1980 suits" reflects that picture above so well! Very lovely story, thanks again!

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  8. What a wonderful story and very sweet. They look like the perfect couple and they look so good together. Thank you for sharing :)

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  9. what a crazy thing life is....just last night i posted on my page a small tidbit about first love...as i read this it took me back to those days of my own youth.thanks for the post,mardie must be someone very special.
    -erik hernandez-

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  10. Deborah Fischer2:55 PM, May 16, 2011

    beautiful stoy, can't wait for the following part ! Mardie and Peter were such a cute couple and the love shines through each pic

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  11. I just love this story. I am married to my first true love and high school sweet heart. Peter sounded like he very much cared for Mardi. What a sweet story on how they met. You never forget your first love! Thanks for sharing and can't wait for pt.2.---Jessica (Black Number 1)

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  12. We all bring our own craziness and issues to our relationships, but besides all of that Peter would have been a beautiful man to have an intimate relationship with. He had a soul like no other, thats why his lyrics affected so many people on such a deep level. Love the hair, very 70's. Mardie's looks very Farrah Fawcett influenced.

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  13. I LOVE this!! It shows what I always knew about Peter,that he had a true heart,and an equally beautiful soul,as was not afraid to show it!! He once said to me that i reminded him of a peach....soft and sweet. I cherish those thoughts forever.

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  14. Great story....can't wait for the continuation....Thanks for sharing! ^V^

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  15. Cool story, but forgive me while I roll around on the floor laughing at Pete in light blue velour!!! AHAHAHAAHHHHH!!! I'm sure he would be laughing at himself too, so I don't feel too bad.

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  16. Oh what a lovely story - it's so heartwarming and the pic is great - yes you can really see the love & caring in it plus it reminds me on my first love - wow it's a time ago ;-)Can't wait to read pt2!
    Sabine, Austria

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  17. a story about scary lady sarah up next perhaps? the woman black #1 is about??

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    Replies
    1. The urban legend around Sarah and Pete Steele is I asked her this, "Are you the mirror girl that Peter commented about?"

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  18. just imagine to be peter's first true love! Ahhh! I want to feel love again!

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  19. good call Mathieu... I heard he wrote that song about her.

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  20. As someone who knows Mardie, I this this is a phenomenal posting of a once in a lifetime love.

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  21. Almost 8 years have passed since I last commented here.Today is Peter's Birthday.Happy Birthday Rest in Peace...
    -erik hernandez-

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