For Lauren

Yes, I'm finally posting about this. Ya happy now? ;)

A couple of weekends ago I went to my fifteen year High School reunion. I viewed it like one of those things that you go to, because though you're not in the mood for the hassle of going, you know once you get there you'll be glad you went. And that's pretty much how it turned out. But not for the reasons I thought it would.

My parents still live in same town, so I knew that I could stay there with no trouble, and no extra expense. Sadly though, neither of them were home that weekend, so I was there by myself. But it was nice to be home for a while and see the fall colors and relax and just get away for a bit. The drive was a bit long, so I brought along my cat for company. She always loves staying at her grandparents' house because there are TWO FLOORS of rooms! ...as opposed to my apartment, which is just... a room.

I'd decided to try to avoid the 'what to wear' angst by just throwing some things into the suitcase and just deciding when I got there, instead of making special shopping trips to find the perfect outfit. I'm sure I could have looked better, but not stressing over it kept me from feeling like I had to present myself as someone in some way better than I actually am. Sad that I had to keep reminding myself to just be myself, isn't it?

So anyway, on to the shindig. It was held at a restaurant that I'd never been to, and I gotta say, I wasn't impressed. It was just a room that looked more like a converted store than a restaurant, and any atmosphere that was created with applied decor was ruined by too many flourescent lights. And the food, while not bad, wasn't particularly good, either. (I don't think it's the fault of the organizers - there's just not a lot of choice for locations.) I guess this makes me a snob, but I'm always depressed when I go home and have to search high and low for a green salad that isn't made with iceberg lettuce, and more than two choices for dressing. But they did have a cash bar, with beer and wine available. *whew.*

It was a pretty strange experience, walking in. There was an impressive turnout, considering it was our first reunion, and the coordinators didn't know how to get in touch with a lot of people. Also, the graduating class wasn't that big to begin with.

It was weird, seeing these people I haven't seen in fifteen years. I'm not sure what I expected, but the vast majority of them were easily recognized. Some (like me) had gained a little weight, or a couple of wrinkles (that too), or had bits of grey in their hair(not yet), but still looked very much like themselves. There were one or two that I didn't recognize at all, even after finding out who they were, and there were one or two who seriously? Hadn't. changed. a bit. Those were spooky.

Some people just have that gift for finding THE right place to sit at a banquet. Whether it's because of good luck, or because the party just seems to follow them wherever they go, I don't know. Because I am not one of those people. Not that I sat by bad people or anything, but my neighbors and I just didn't have much to say to each other past the usual, "so, what have you been doing for the past 15 years?" Plus, once people start breaking out the pictures of their kids, I have considerably less I can contribute to the conversation.

After dinner, there was some time for mingling and dancing. Or, more honestly, standing around drinking and talking. This was my favorite part. This was where I got to talk to people that I hadn't talked to much (or at all) in school, and I essentially got to meet them for the first time. It's a weird experience, knowing where someone comes from, and having a basically two-dimensional impression of what they were like half their lifetime ago, and then finding out that they're really interesting people that I'd be pleased to meet anywhere. I don't mean to sound like I was shocked that my classmates turned out to be interesting people - It's more that I felt relieved: if they've grown past what they were back then, and gone on to become interesting people then I must have as well. (And Thank Goodness the world no longer has to be subjected to my 17-year-old-self.)

I didn't talk as much to those I thought I would - those from the 'clique' I hung out with most in school, but had basically lost touch with since. Instead, I got to spend time with new people, and instead of conversations full of nostalgia and the glory days, we talked about our world views, dreams of the future, life experiences, and a lot of stuff that had nothing to do with highschool or childhood.

Those of you who know me know that I love a good conversation. And I had several of those. I'm definitely glad I went, and I'm looking forward to the next one. And I think I might be able to keep in touch with some of them and spend time with them when we're all home for the holidays.

So yeah, here's to growing up, in the good way.