Has it been 10 years already?
I went to my 10 year high school reunion last night. It was a very surreal experience. I didn't know what to expect and wasn't sure how the night would turn out. When I went to my 5 year reunion, people hadn't really changed that much. We were all in our early 20's, had just recently finished college, and were still in that partying mode.
This reunion was quite different. The first thing that struck me was that we all had to wear nametags. I mean, how much can someone really change since high school, right? Well, after scoping out the crowd, the answer is A LOT. I couldn't recognize half the people that were there. My class had about 400 students so I never knew everyone, but I could at least put a name to a face. This crowd was full of unfamiliar faces that I knew I should recognize. As I walked around looking at everyone's nametags, I realized that women age a lot better than men do! Most of the girls looked similar to the way they did in high school, plus or minus a few pounds. The guys, however, were not a pretty sight. Half of them were fat and balding! We're 28, how could they be balding already! There were the few guys that looked the same or even better than they used to. But, all in all, the aging process did not cut the guys any slack.
After drinking a couple glasses of liquid courage, I forced myself to initiate conversations with people. At first I thought I was the only one that had been nervous before the reunion and felt awkward coming in. As I mingled, however, I found out that everyone else felt that way. Even those who were the "confident" and "popular" ones years back. They felt exactly the same way I did. That was comforting.
I made a point of talking to everyone I could find that I went to elementary school with. Although we naturally drifted apart over the years, there's nothing like the bond of a friendship from childhood. I got to meet significant others and even see baby pictures of their children. I still can't believe that the people that I still picture as grade schoolers are now parents!
I think the best part of the night was the fact that we've all grown up so much and that all that high school drama is far behind us. Everyone was mature and friendly and just happy to be able to enjoy an evening together again. There are some people that I reconnected with last night that I hope to continue talking to. As for the rest of them, I guess I'll see them at the 15 year:o)
This reunion was quite different. The first thing that struck me was that we all had to wear nametags. I mean, how much can someone really change since high school, right? Well, after scoping out the crowd, the answer is A LOT. I couldn't recognize half the people that were there. My class had about 400 students so I never knew everyone, but I could at least put a name to a face. This crowd was full of unfamiliar faces that I knew I should recognize. As I walked around looking at everyone's nametags, I realized that women age a lot better than men do! Most of the girls looked similar to the way they did in high school, plus or minus a few pounds. The guys, however, were not a pretty sight. Half of them were fat and balding! We're 28, how could they be balding already! There were the few guys that looked the same or even better than they used to. But, all in all, the aging process did not cut the guys any slack.
After drinking a couple glasses of liquid courage, I forced myself to initiate conversations with people. At first I thought I was the only one that had been nervous before the reunion and felt awkward coming in. As I mingled, however, I found out that everyone else felt that way. Even those who were the "confident" and "popular" ones years back. They felt exactly the same way I did. That was comforting.
I made a point of talking to everyone I could find that I went to elementary school with. Although we naturally drifted apart over the years, there's nothing like the bond of a friendship from childhood. I got to meet significant others and even see baby pictures of their children. I still can't believe that the people that I still picture as grade schoolers are now parents!
I think the best part of the night was the fact that we've all grown up so much and that all that high school drama is far behind us. Everyone was mature and friendly and just happy to be able to enjoy an evening together again. There are some people that I reconnected with last night that I hope to continue talking to. As for the rest of them, I guess I'll see them at the 15 year:o)
posted by Leslie @ 11:14 PM
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