Before fame, heartbreak, and second chances, Emma Sinclair and Josh McGuire were two kids growing up together in Boston.
This Emma and Josh diary entry takes us back to the summer of 1987, when a family cookout and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” turned an ordinary summer evening into a memory worth keeping.
Here’s a little glimpse into Emma’s world before everything changed. ❤️
Emma and Josh Diary — Summer 1987
Dear Diary,
Today was the best day!
I know I say that a lot.
We went over to the McGuires’ for a cookout. Their backyard is huge, and they always have strings of lights hanging up for when it starts getting dark.
I call them twinkle lights.
Anyway, it wasn’t even dark yet, and I was sitting in a chair talking to Molly when “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” started playing on the radio.
It’s a new song, and I love it!
Next thing I know, Josh is pulling me out of my chair to dance.
He didn’t even ask me!
He just grabbed my hand and pulled me up.
I tried to protest because I didn’t want to put on a show in front of everybody.
Josh, on the other hand?
He’s the showman.
I laughed the entire time as he spun me around till I was dizzy.
We ended up falling onto the grass, laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath.
When Josh started to get up, he stopped and leaned over me, his face close to mine.
He just stared at me.
For a second, I thought he might kiss me.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he stood up and held out both hands to help me off the ground.
I was still a little dizzy when I got to my feet, and Josh noticed.
He grabbed me before I could fall again and said, “Careful Em. You’re gonna fall for me.”
I just rolled my eyes and said, “In your dreams, McGuire.”
He grinned.
When I went back to sit with Molly, she had this stupid smile on her face.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she said.
“Molly!”
She started laughing.
“You should’ve seen the way he was looking at you.”
I could feel my face getting hot.
“He was just being Josh.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.”
I wanted to throw something at her.
Sisters are so annoying sometimes!
Anyway, I can’t wait for the next cookout.
And I hope Whitney Houston comes on the radio again.
Want to hear the song that inspired this diary entry? You can find it here ➡️ I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
Read more diary entries here: Emma’s Diary