Last night I went to my 30th high school reunion. I had a great time, even though I thought I might have to pull my car to the side of the road and throw up on the way there. All the insecurities I dealt with 30 years ago seemed to bubble to the surface, as my car approached the tavern where the event was held.
It was fun.
I’m glad it’s over.
Note to high school reunion planners:
Find objective individuals with warm smiles and calm, reassuring expressions on their faces. Have them stand at the entrances of the facility that hosts the first night’s function. These individuals shouldn’t be members of the class. They will act as greeters – kind of like greeters at Walmart – only they will be more convincing, and they will appear to enjoy their role as Happy Greeter.
As each class member apprehensively approaches the door, the greeter will acknowledge them, look them in the eye and say, “Hello! So glad you made it. You have never looked better. Everyone will be so glad you came.”
The greeter will kindly instruct the class member to check his or her coat and insecurities at the door.
The rest of the evening will be spent happily conversing and exchanging with old friends. The bubbles of insecurity that normally encase the classmates won’t bump into each other, preventing real conversation.
A great time will be had by all.
Mine was last weekend, the feelings were the same as yours, giant breath before walking through doors.. I mingled, to my surprise, I hugged, I smiled, I wondered some what ifs.. My class was only 30 kids 30 years ago.. 15 of us showed up.. All in all, it was great to see everyone. I was ME back then, I had some serious attitude. Where did it go?
Annie,
I still see that attitude in your sense of humor.
The feelings of reunions are intense and strange. Do I look right, will people remember me? Glad it is over, but it was sweet to see some of the past…
I’m surprised that I’m a little sad that I won’t being seeing a lot of the folks that I saw at my reunion for a long time.
Maybe I’m getting more comfortable in my own skin.
I went as ‘me’, had very fun conversations and was really interested to hear how they are all doing. I liked hearing it all – marriage issues, grown kid stuff, job woes. It’s like getting to talk to a lot of the trees that make up the forest; only these were trees that I hadn’t seen in a long while.
I came away feeling fortunate to be able to attend and re-connect.