Reunion

I started writing this post shortly after I went to my twenty year reunion, but never finished it. I've got a couple like that...ideas and thoughts that I've begun, but haven't fleshed out enough to finish posting. I'm going to try and do so. Anyway, here's my thoughts on my reunion.

I recently went to my twenty year high school reunion. I was scared to death to go, and really wasn't sure if I would until I turned on the road to go to the place it was at. And had there been anywhere to turn around, I STILL might not have ended up there. But once I made the turn, I was pretty much stuck.

Let me jump to the end a bit...I was really glad I went. Although it turned out a bit like I was afraid of (more of that in a moment), I did get to see and talk to a lot of people whom I missed, even if I didn't know I did until I saw them. I also met some new people, had some conversations, and generally enjoyed myself.

So why was I scared? I never really considered myself part of the 'in' crowd...or the 'out' crowd, for that matter. I was fairly well known in school, and I knew a lot of people, but there weren't that many that I was 'close' to. I had friends, got invited to parties, and don't believe I ever missed a dance because I didn't have a date, but still...I wasn't part of any of the 'cliques.' My fear was that I would show up, not be recognized by many people, or worse, be recognized and ignored. That I would be like I was in school...people would say hello, then move on.

And that happened, to a large degree. Most of the 'cool' kids hung out together. There were lots of hugs and pictures, stories told of the good ol' days, and catching up done on everybody's life now. I was mostly on the sidelines, watching the people go by, occasionally shaking a hand or getting a hug, but mostly just watching.

That was okay, though...a lot better than I thought it was going to be. And while the party was going on inside and on the terrace, I was down by the parking lot hanging out, talking with people who I hadn't seen in years (or had just met.) It was a great time.

I felt a bit like an outsider, but I was ultimately fine with it. I did what you do at reunions...I caught up with a few people, hung out, saw how some of my old crushes turned out (very well, for the record), and actually had a really good time. I'll probably debate going to the next one just like I did this one...but I don't think I'll try to talk myself out of it quite as much. We've turned out well, BHS class of '92. Thanks for the memories.