In 1983 I was 14 years old and I’d fallen in love for the first time. The object of my affection was an American boy by the name of Campbell T Fisher Jr (known as Toby). He and his family were sailing around the world in a small yacht. Their “modus operandi” was to stay in a place only for as long as it took them to earn enough money for fuel and provisions (for the next leg of their journey).
From the moment we met at a school dance, we knew that our time together was precious. Back then there were no cell phones (hence no texting) and no Internet. His parents didn’t have a car and mine worked all day, so we used to walk (a lot) to wherever we wanted to go. Money was tight for both of us, so going to watch a movie was a rare treat. The first movie he took me to see was “An Officer and A Gentleman” which was being shown at the Yacht Club where his family’s yacht was anchored. I remember thinking that the movie was so appropriate because Toby was my” officer and gentleman.”
Unfortunately they were only in Cape Town for 6 months. I was totally devastated when he sailed away, but we vowed to keep in touch and get together again as soon as possible. Keeping in touch meant “snail mail.” We’d write long, rambling letters telling each other everything that was happening in our lives. Of course, by the time the letter arrived, most of the news was “stale.” We also sent each other “mixed tapes.” Do you remember those? We’d put together compilations of sappy love songs and mail them to each other!
On the 3rd of May 1985 I received my last letter from him. In it, he told me that he planned to come back to South Africa in either June or July of that year. He even phoned me to confirm that he really was in the process of buying a ticket to come back to me. He also wrote me a poem (the start of which you can see in the attached image, together with a picture of what he looked like at the time). I could hardly contain my happiness!
June and July came and went without another word from him. There was no answer at the number he’d given me and no answer to any of the letters I sent from the end of May onwards. I waited for a word from him for over a year. In fact, I only started dating again when I was 17.
Fast forward to 2013. I’ve been happily married for 22 years and have two children who are both older than I was in 1985. We recently moved house and I came across this box of letters and photos of Toby. My daughter asked me why I didn’t just throw them away, after all I love my husband now (and have loved him from the day we met in 1988).
I don’t have a good answer as to why I still keep them …. except, maybe, because I’d still like to know what happened to Toby Fisher!
You see, in his last letter to me he called me his “one and only love” and he said he was coming back! Since then, not a word from anyone. I’d be SO happy if I found out that he was as happily married as I am. I’d just really like to know what happened to him!!
Does anyone know what happened to Campbell T. Fisher Jr, formerly of Florida, USA?
Did you keep mementos and / or letters from your first love? Do you ever think about them and wonder how their lives turned out? (Even if you’re happily married and have no intention of rekindling the old relationship!!)
This is an original post for World Moms Blog from Mamma Simona of Cape Town, who shares her home with a husband, a 20 year old son, a 17 year old daughter, a mom-in-law, two cats and two dogs!
Mamma Simona (South Africa)
Mamma Simona was born in Rome (Italy) but has lived in Cape Town (South Africa) since she was 8 years old. She studied French at school but says she’s forgotten most of it! She speaks Italian, English and Afrikaans. Even though Italian is the first language she learned, she considers English her "home" language as it's the language she's most comfortable in. She is happily married and the proud mother of 2 terrific teenagers! She also shares her home with 2 cats and 2 dogs ... all rescues. Mamma Simona has worked in such diverse fields as Childcare, Tourism, Library Services, Optometry, Sales and Admin! (With stints of SAHM in-between). She’s really looking forward to the day she can give up her current Admin job and devote herself entirely to blogging and (eventually) being a full-time grandmother!
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I met my first love in kindergarten, but back then I didn’t quite like boys yet, so I didn’t know he would be my first love 🙂 From 6 until 12 yo we were in separate schools (boy versus girl schools). And after that we met again in highschool. When we were 14 yo, we finally fell in love. Nobody gave us a chance because we were so incredibly different. But we proved them wrong. Ten years later, I proposed to him. We’ve been married for 7 years now, each others first true love…
That’s lovely, Katinka! 🙂
I hope you find out what happened, Simona! What a lovely story!
Jen 🙂
Thanks, Jen! 🙂
I’m really hoping that someone who reads this will know something or someone that can help solve this 30 year old mystery!
oooh, I love a fun mystery, I hope we find out what happened to Toby!
Me too! It’s about time, I reckon!! 😛
What lovely sweet memories, here’s hoping you find out what happened to Toby and that all is well in the end.
Thanks, Barb. I’m hoping that if everyone shares or re-blogs this post, eventually someone who knows something will come forward!
It would be super awesome to have a follow-up post with the answer to:
“Does anyone know what happened to Campbell T. Fisher Jr, formerly of Florida, USA?” 🙂
Just a veryeryvery stupid question, but did you try Facebook? I tried actually, but there are so many Toby Fishers, and I don’t think I would recognize him 🙂
I really hope you will find him or his family some way!
I’m dying for the update – when we find out what happened to the cessation in communication and where he is now!
I’m sure that, with everyone’s help, the truth will come out eventually!
I am curious too! Have you tried searching for him on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin ? 🙂
I’ve tried Facebook & Linkedin but I’m not on Twitter.
I don’t want to “friend” or “link to” a whole lot of Toby and or Campbell Fisher people who are probably not “my” Toby / Campbell so I just sent them messages – so far no reply.
I also sent messages to some 5 “Jim Fisher” (Toby’s older brother’s name is Jim) and only 1 replied that he’s not related to Toby.
There is a Campbell T Fisher who is 71 years old still living in the USA. I think it might be Toby’s grandfather (it came up when I “googled” the name) but it doesn’t give me any more information and /or way to contact him.
I think my best shot is just getting this story shared as much as possible in the hope that someone who knows the “right” Toby Fisher gets in touch somehow!
Oh, I really hope we’ll be able to find him and get to know what happened!
What a lovely story – I hope you find out what happened and where he is now and yes – I do remember keeping in touch with snail mail and mixed tapes!
I honestly think that the best chance we have of finding out what happened to Toby is if everyone keeps sharing this story. I’m sure that someone has a friend who is friends with the “right” Fisher family!
Thank you all for your help with this! 🙂
Simona, I came up with this – do you think it’s of any use to you?
http://www.boatinfoworld.com/registration.asp?vn=132729
I did look at that, thanks Carol. 🙂
What a gorgeous story! I think we’ll find him…the WMB team seem to be on the job! LOL
Fingers crossed! 🙂