Running and Catching Up!

I've got lots to catch up on, and since I'm on vacation, it seems like a great time to do just that! 

So, let's begin...I went to my high school reunion recently, not long ago, in early Fall - let's leave it at that.  Glad I went, but will most likely never go back again. 

I guess my expectations were a little high, I had a little scenario running through my head that I'd connect with someone that I just had a passing friendship with in high school, and maybe find a running partner or someone with whom I had more in common with since 25 years had passed - uh, nope!  

I did reacquaint myself with a gal that I thought was just so together in high school.  She always dressed so amazingly well, and carried herself with such poise.  We started talking, and she's as "normal" as anyone.  Has the same children, job, family issues as me and she was so "down to earth".  I'm so glad we got to talk that evening.

I also got to see an old friend that I had known since 7th grade.  She was always so stressed and upset about something in the 6 years we went to school together.  She had a really strict (on the verge of abusive) mom and I swear, I thought she would either run away and end up living on the streets, or do herself some harm.  But, she was doing really well with her life.  Had 3 boys, working on her Master's Degree, and happy with her life.  That made the night worthwhile.

And I have to be honest, I was hoping that the gals would all be fat and the men bald...I was right on the 2nd one.  The girls I went to school with had really taken care of themselves, but the guys - wow, there were so many bald heads there I couldn't believe it!  It made me wonder...when do men get to the point that they just say, "I don't have enough to keep growing, I'm just going to shave it all off!"  Bald looks good on some people, say, Bruce Willis, Vin Diesel, but not so much on the class of 1985!

And, lastly, the "stupid and loud" girls that I went to high school with, uh...still stupid and loud!  The only difference seemed to be that now they could legally purchase their alcohol!  Sorry, being 43 and acting like you're 23 just doesn't work anymore!

Finally, at the end of the night I got a voice mail from Baby Girl, with her breathy 10 year old voice, saying, "Mommy, when are you coming home?"  I know right then that while high school was a nice place to visit, there was only one place that mattered to me now - home with my family.  The biggest "Ah-hah" of the night - I really like who I am and where I am in my life right now!  And it just took 3 hours of the past to help me realize that!

Thanks for visiting!

Running...back to high school!

I knew it was coming.  You know how that internal clock tells you that time has passed.  It's time...and it came in the mail...the announcement for my 25th high school reunion.  

I've never been to a reunion.  When the 10th one came, life hadn't moved forward enough to even go.  I had just finished college not long before, had only been married 1 year, and had just started my career.  There wasn't much to say at that point.  Then when the 20th came, my daughter's birthday was that weekend - not even a chance of going.  But now for number 25 - I actually feel like going!  Not a strong urge, just a curiosity mostly.

It wasn't that I didn't like high school.  But come on, high school...I was awkward, unsure of myself, looking for...something.  I went to a private Catholic high school.  My parents scrimped, saved, and budgeted to send me there.  My mother thought it would be safer than public high school.  But we were very middle class.  I didn't drive a Mercedes or a BMW to school.  I had a 79 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme that I got to drive on Fridays in my senior year.  Many kids were from wealthy homes.  And yeah, I felt like I didn't quite fit in.

I liked college so much better.  I feel like I finally became myself in college.  I liked myself in college - and still do!  I met great people in college, and those were the friends that I have stayed in touch with.  Honestly, I haven't stayed in touch with anyone from high school.

So, I'm not even sure what to expect.  Do they give you a name tag with your senior picture on it to wear?  Do they make you stand up and tell everyone what you've been doing the last 25 years?  Will everyone be fat and bald?  (I secretly hope so - especially those girls I thought were really "bitchy" - fat, not bald, although if they were bald too it might be more entertaining!)

Well, I've committed to going - sent my check in and everything!  Hubby has agreed to go - I know he'll be polite.  I'll let you know how it goes!

But please, tell me, did you go to your reunions?  Glad you went?  Will you ever go again?

Thanks for stopping by today!