childhood sweetheart

[angliholic]

I am excited to see Joyce, who was my childhood sweetheart but now is married.


What does a childhood sweetheart mean to you? A childhood lover? Thanks.

[Ouisch]

No. Since you're referring to childhood, the sweetheart would have been someone you had a crush on, but not a lover. Most likely there would've been no more physical contact than some furtive hand-holding.

[angliholic]

Ouisch, thank you for your clear reply.
It seems to me that it's puppy love based on your reply. So, I wonder if I could say puppy lover or first lover instead.