20 Year High School Reunion: The Report
Wednesday, 28 November, 2007 at 1:37 PM 
The things we don't know about each other could fill the Atlantic. But there's no-one else with whom I would have preferred spending this past weekend. Since the 10 year reunion memories - especially the reconnecting our small group did beforehand - trigger such nostalgia, it was a no-brainer that I would attend. I have friends who would rather have outpatient surgery than attend such a function. To me, though, it's not about rekindling every friendship and friendly acquaintance I had those years ago. I guess it was a blend of curiosity, nostalgia... an excuse to dress up and go dancing and laugh a lot. Plus a chance to see a handful of people I don't see nearly often enough. Especially that.
It was over way too quickly. There's no way to capture the entire weekend for you in a manner effective enough to convey the tone, but I'll share some tidbits of what made it so unique. Of what made it memorable enough that I'm keen to have another one whenever somebody official says the word. They're talking about a 25th.
Pre-Reunion Gathering
Like last time, friend's parents hosted a reconnection party (although this time in absentia, as they were out of town,) so a 
group of us could gather in advance to get reacquainted before heading on over to the big honkin' party. I think the count was around 18. That's how many people clustered in that kitchen, (it's a roomy house - didn't matter; hardly anyone left that kitchen for more than a few minutes,) for a couple of hours in advance. Standing in the doorway once, surveying the room, I felt something best described as "unabashed sentimentalism." There's something about people you knew that long ago. Even though you've moved along your separate paths, rarely intersecting since that parting, it's an old, familiar love that's simple and good. I wish we'd had more time there that night.
Sheer Fun
Later, at the reunion itself, I enjoyed the true extrovert's drug of choice: person after person to greet with moments of surprise and giddy exclamations of "Oh Look! At! You!, You're! Here!, How! Are! You?, It's! So! Good! To! See! You!!!!" And 
in those moments, it didn't matter how long it had been since I last even thought of the person I was hugging, they were the perfect person to be hugging at the moment.
And as at many of the best parties, there was a dance floor. How better to reacquaint yourself with people you may or may not ever see again, but with whom you share a host of sometimes-best-left-behind memories? You dance! Enthusiastically we danced to tunes that were each suddenly among our favorite pieces of music ever written.
Surprise
Events like this are sure to bring you in contact with those you never knew that well, too. Sure enough, I had actual conversations with more than one person I never truly talked to in high school. In fact, I have a suspicion that a couple of those talks lasted longer than the sum total of words I exchanged with those individuals, 20 years ago. Funny, that. And how the years remove much of the awkwardness and angst that make certain individuals so separate and seemingly-unapproachable.
Overheard
In the ladies room, I heard honest voices. Among them, a friend was reconnecting with a lovely woman who was in my home room all through high school. Friend said, "You know, I love my girls, but do you know what I mean when I tell you...sometimes, I'm just soooo tired." The weariness in her voice convinced us all and I later thought about how that's one more thing reunions can do that very little has the power to accomplish. Break down the barriers of all those years. Suddenly you're confiding things to people as if you've picked up from last weekend's gab session. It's another reason I love these things. (Also another reason I hope my friend finds a good spa and gifts herself with a much-needed getaway.)
Miscellaneous
Eleanor's boots kicked butt. I'm gonna' try to find a photo and post it here. Ohhhhh how I want those boots...
Final Thoughts
If you get a chance to go to a high school reunion, find yourself a handful of people you once cared about deeply, catch up with them a little in advance, and go together to the big party. I've been to two of these things now and I don't regret either one. Might regret a few of those pictures people are sending around, but overall, the memories more than make up for any embarrassing unphotogenic tendencies. (Plus, any shots taken now are sure to beat the ones they'll bring out from "back in the day.") Besides, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised that you will want to stay in touch with one or two of your old pals...
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Reader Comments (15)
Wow - we really did go to the same reunion. What an amazing time. So glad to hear you had the same time as me - I was THRILLED! TO! SEE! EVERYONE! THERE!!!!! Ended up staying out until 4something - definitely a 20 year ago habit. Far less walls, far less pomp and circumstance, far more genuine happiness and you're right - living in the moment. When life gets like it gets, it's nice to abandon it, if only for an evening, and be back where it's simple, easy, and the most difficult decision is who to ask to get you another drink. See you in 5 (maybe less!) Love... me.
OH, and I love the smoldering poses, ala Paris Hilton, that I seemed to be throwing around. Definitely a little less self-conscious than I was in 1987!
Great synopsis, Mer-odi! As I deny that I have a 10:30 flight to Las Vegas tonight, I decided to dive headlong into your blog and found this post - of course I didn't go directly here, that's what people withOUT aDhd do!
I love the comment about the music...what is a dance floor without a bunch of 38-39 year olds dancing to Rappers Delight, Timberlake and Timberland, and the works, all while squeaking "I love this song!" One of the funniest parts was all the Mom's (myself included) trying to remember Soulja Boy's 'Crank That' dance that our children have been trying to teach us while we do the dishes and ignore them....
I'm a bit strange in that I have great memories and loved HS. Reunions are a bit nostalgic in a sad way for me. I guess I wish some of those people I saw this weekend were still in my life. Perhaps I long for the innocence and freedom. (Plus, I friggin had it made, and my boobs were higher!!) Luckily, we have each other's email addresses and I hope to use them more often to stay in touch.
Okay, bags aren't packing themselves and the guest bedroom/bathroom aren't cleaning themselves. Off to do what someone else would have done for me in HS - maybe I'm just lazy and not nostalgic at all!!
Hey wait! **I** loved high school! Wish I was back and had all those decisions to make in front of me again.
Miss you all -- see you in <=5 years!
And Eleanor's boots did kick ass.
I loved high school too!! Well maybe my senior year sucked but that wasn't school's fault. I gotta agree, the boots were most impressive. For me to even comment on something like that should tell you how impressive they were.
Excellent Synopsis of the big event. It actually is making me start to anticipate my big 20 which is SUPPOSED to take place next year-but to my knowledge, the CENTENNIAL hasn't even had it's first reunion to-date as of yet? By the way, it sounded like a terrific party, and although I'm not that big of a dancer, from Mel's description of the floor, I really felt left out! And,that must have been one classy pair of BOOTS that the young lady wore to the party. To all the reunion-readers, congratulations on your anniversary milestone, and may you have many more good years ahead!
Ev
See!
Did I not tell you it would be a blast???
Fun stuff, but sadly I have not come through with even a short hello email to any of the people I connected with again at my reunion....
I am glad you had fun!
Susan, we really did seem to have quite similar takes on the reunion. Definitely less than 5 years this time...let's just choose it and make it happen!
Cindi, thanks re the synopsis. And I'm thinking how cool it is your kids are now teaching you dance steps - or trying to. There is a bittersweetness to this kind of reconnecting, isn't there? Maybe we all will do a better job of making time to stay in touch this time around. It could happen, right?
Susannah, I canNOT believe I haven't seen you in - what? - 18 years. How great you came this time! Yea, I'm sure we'll see each other sooner this go 'round...
Scott, how excellent to have a guy's perspective! Sorry your senior year wasn't great. You seem happy now, though. Wow - you noticed the boots too! :)
Ev, I didn't know you read my blog! Fun surprise. Thanks for the congrats. If you go to yours and have half the fun we did, it'll be worth the drive.
Jen, quick, write somebody an email...anybody you had fun reconnecting with. There's still time! It was fun to know somebody (outside our little gang, that is,) who also thought it would be worthwhile to go to such an event. Glad you had fun at yours too!
Next year will be my 20th high school reunion, I went to the 10th--no many people attended it was more of a dinner party, the 15th was a little better I have stated that I would not go to my 20th--perhaps now I will reconsider, a friend of mine from high school got married earlier this year, I attended the wedding, it got me thinking to reconnect with some of the gang, after reading this blog, perhaps I will.
I can't say that I would have noticed them if someone hadn't asked me who the "girl in the boots" was. I guess I can't say that the whole year was bad. It just couldn't have started any worse. But yes, I am quite happy now. I have a beautiful wife and great friends and a decent job. I can't ask for more than that.
Aaaah - now it becomes clear how Someone Who Wasn't A Woman noticed Those Boots!
I'm glad the bad part is past. Your wife IS lovely and I'm really happy for you. What fun to catch up! Won't it be fun to see if people do better about keeping in touch this time?! (Hm. I hear there's a website possibility in the works...) :)
A website??!!? What a novel idea. I hope it works out.
Hey Melody,
Well...you can see..this is only the second time I have ever posted a reponse on a blog site. Susan you were first! Woohoo!
Well, yes it is December 9th and I am just getting around to reading these. Melody..glad you used the pictures. I have this fantasy that if we all lived in town we would be hanging out when we dropped off the kids etc. finished work. Wish I was closer and that we had more time that week-end! It was so wonderful to see you and everybody. I had such a great time just being with our group!
I will get to that spa! I think Santa is bringing that. Ha!
Cindi..hope your shoulder is well...Merry Christmas to ya'll and talk soon..love, Chris
;) That's out these addictions begin, Chris... Cool you found this post! Thank you for the pictures.
I have the same fantasy. Although it'd be just like it is now with our other friends...trying to fit in the time for getting together between all the other things we're all juggling. But it'd be nice, too, not to have to wait so long between visits.
I loved seeing everybody and agree it was over far too quickly.
Cool about Santa and the spa. (Snicker; I didn't say who I overheard in the washroom...did I?) Hm. Writing this is making me nostalgic now...
Hope you'll visit and post again sometime...reunion-related, or otherwise!