My High School Reunion

I went and although I had fun, I must admit that it was disappointing. And that is no fault to the people who did not attend but rather to the company that put it together. First, let me ask you all who are reading this dying to know the details of what it was or wasn’t like reconnecting with people ten years later: Would you go to your High School reunion if the cost were $112 per person? That is $224 per couple. I think most would respond “No” (as most did) and some would follow-up that question with, “What does that include?” Open bar, a buffet, and music at the Hyatt hotel.

My graduating class had approximately 700 students in it (seniors alone). Rather large compared to most. The reunion had approximately 30 former graduates. Less than 5% of my classmates attended! How disappointing especially when you have traveled from 5 states away to be present at the reunion. Even though I hoped of a festivity packed to the brim in all reality I knew turn out would be low due to the high cost to attend and the comments of classmates a year older telling me that their reunion too had very few guests. I can’t help but wonder if the cost were more reasonable (say $100 a couple/$50 a person) would I have seen more familiar faces?

P.S. Thank you very much to an “older” Long Wood graduate who informed us the “ticket lady” leaves around 10PM. Under 30, still not rich (yet) – our husbands were blessed with eating and drinking at Hooters until we called and told them the coast was clear – they could attend the reunion for free. We had been ripped off but they sure weren’t. Free open bar, here the boys came!

After the shock of realizing I would only get to mingle with about 25 people (because I came with 5 of the 30) I quickly noticed I did not recognize many faces! Who were these people? I went to high school with them? Oh wait, she looks slightly familiar, but umm oh yea, do I really want to catch up with her? We barely talked when we were 17 years-old why would we want to waste time making small talk now? I refused to waste time bragging about myself nor acting like I cared too much about everyone’s success (the total opposite of what we are suppose to do this night!) and so I did the next thing most would do – headed for the bar (at least there were no waiting lines)!

The reunion wasn’t all bad. Actually other then not really seeing anyone I was friends with throughout high school, I had a blast. First, two girls that I was close with K and C attended. I was BFF’s with both of them for many years – we went through boyfriends, heartbreak, street corner and Royal super market hangouts to parting ways once graduated. I might add, for the most part we looked the same (K’s nails did get longer though)! The top football player came (of course) and so did the almost student council president (of course again). And there was a very handsome fellow graduate in attendance who I don’t remember…going to school with nor being that handsome!

We danced. Get a few drinks in those New Yorkers and their high school moves come right back to them. Doesn’t matter if there were 5 people in attendance or 555 – the highlight of the night was of course MV breaking out FOOTLOSE on the dance floor (oh no she didn’t. Yes, she did)! My husband called it before the night begun, before the drinks were flowing – “MV will do the Footloose dance” he declared (and she was THAT GIRL and we all loved her for it).

Yes my husband, he arrived and we were grateful we did not shell out the $112 for him to attend on time! The reunion wasn’t too much fun for him…nah, but the huge Indian wedding taking place down the hall was. Him and several others invited themselves into the reception (yes, think wedding crashers). The husband danced in the conga line (think he stood out?), MV danced behind the groom, the football player and others soon all joined at disbelief that they weren’t getting kicked out but were instead making cameos on the couples WEDDING VIDEO!

Everything I thought a high school reunion would be – it wasn’t. We did not all chat and mingle and brag about where we are in life and where we are going. We didn’t share and see pictures of everyone’s children, their new homes or pets. Perhaps we lucked out that we got straight to boozing and dancing eliminating all the chit chat that can so often be painful. The high school reunion in fact, reminded me of high school – we sat with those who we knew, gossiped about those we didn’t, drank, swore, and danced! But besides the fun that I did indeed have, what I took away the most was the reminder that my best friends, my five New York girls, are part of my daily high school reunion.

Honorable Mentions

I can’t write about my high school reunion without noting my husband dressing up as a country boy ready to go hunting with Crocs, form-fitting jeans, camouflage, the essential cowboy hat, and ready-to-shoot-gun in hand at 2 AM in the morning. The real country boys, J and D look on in hysterics. If only these pictures had audio...

And a special shout out to our bulldog EVER (until we get our own) – Rocco Miller! Thanks for having a sleepover with us Rocco – you made my hubby’s night!