Hi WarmSeptemberSun,

I had shared with NuchingFutz that I lived next door to a Downs boy who was my age for years and years when I was growing up and he was simply one of the family. But that was 40 years ago. What I do remember is, he felt so many emotions and felt them full tilt. Love was love, but had no "type". He hugged a lot. Lots of cheek kisses. We would say "Hug time!" He loved to laugh and play jokes. But we had to make him understand when enough was enough. He was in school but the schools back then weren't real good. His family up and moved to Texas when he was in his teens so he could go to a better school. He loved being included. He loved forming relationships. He wanted friends. If you could engage him in an activity, he was in heaven. My dad used to bring home vegetables that people on his rural mail route would give to him and this boy would help me shuck the corn and do other things to prepare the vegetables. But you have to remember that their hand coordination is not as good as normal. One thing this girl will probably want to do is to think of herself as close to normal as possible to going shopping and trying on clothes might be fun. Don't be embarassed if she kisses you. Who the hell cares?

I hope that the info you have received here helps.