The 20 year Reunion

Reflections on my 20th High School Reunion:

It's bound to happen to all of us...the passage of time is inevitable. Once we were young and had not a care in the world, and suddenly, here I am, age 38, husband and 7 kids, attending my High School 20-year reunion.

First of all, I will say that for me, high school was absolutely wonderful. Now yes, it wasn't ALL peaches and cream. I did have bad hair days, my first heartbreak, betrayal by a best friend, etc. etc., but all in all it was bliss. I loved high school. Do I want to go back? No. Did I love it when I was there? Yes. LOVED IT.

So I went to my high school reunion a couple of weeks ago and here are my impressions:

1. I wasn't nervous beforehand. In fact, I wasn't even phased by the upcoming gala. I had no trouble figuring out what I was going to wear, how to do my hair, and all that good stuff. I didn't really think about who would be there, mostly because I knew which of my best friends would come and I figured that if nothing else I would love spending time with them and their spouses. I wasn't worried about Dave because he knows quite a few people from my class, either because they married my good friends or from college or life in general. So I was totally unprepared for a sudden onset of nerves that descended upon me as I walked up to the door that night! It was as if 20 years had not passed and suddenly I was a 17 year old girl again, worrying about my outfit and my shoes and my accessories and my hair! If I wasn't so nervous I would have laughed out loud about my nerves! This is not me! I am a confident, secure woman and I know what is good in my life and who I am and all that jazz, but for a moment in time that flew out the window! Even now thinking back I find it surprising but it was a good reminder that I am grateful I don't worry about all the things I used to worry about!

2. By and large everyone looked beautiful! Okay, let me say that the men looked great. But the women? BEAUTIFUL. Everyone has taken such good care of themselves and just look wonderful. It made me proud to be a member of that group. I'm tellin ya, if you do life right, you can look just as good approaching 40 as you ever did!

3. It was really cool to see what everyone is doing with their lives. Not that this surprised me, but still! Guys who in my memory are just BOYS are doctors, lawyers, pastors, professors, computer programmers, etc. And the women were accomplished as well--even those of us who are primarily mothers have degrees and career paths that were impressive. I went to high school with some pretty incredible people. There was still the party crowd who seemed like they were making an obvious attempt to get drunk. Maybe it just seemed that way to me. I don't know. But by and large most of the people seemed like responsible adults.

4. I have the most kids, and I amaze everyone. Well, they should be amazed...I'm amazed most mornings that I even find the energy to get out of bed! So yes, I'm amazing. I know. Can't help it.

5. This was my favorite surprise: It was so interesting to see who I had the most to talk about with! Of course there were the natural people--my best friends from high school, etc., but there were people who sought me out and really shared with me who surprised me. There was one woman who was very shy in high school who was so talkative and confident and beautiful. My neighbor from childhood told me I was on his list to specifically search out. I was so honored. I loved seeing who people married. In the end, we are all the same people--just older. And wiser.