30 Year Reunion

[luvsJack]

I graduated from high school 30 years ago and this weekend is our class reunion.

Our high school (maybe all high schools do this? ) has an event each year for alumi called "homecoming". It is to honor each of the classes of that year (this year was 1911, 1921. . .1981. . .2001) and to induct the current year's class into the alumni. Its really a huge event and its a nice event that honors our school and its graduates So last night we all met there. Other than the current seniors, we were the largest class represented.

Tonight there is the actual "reunion".

I was thinking of not going for a long time but after talking to old friends on Facebook, I changed my mind.

I bought a new outfit, got dressed up and drove to my old highschool. I was so nervous I was almost sick! I just knew that everyone else would look the same or better (real realistic thinking there! ) or would be rich or would have accomplished ALL their dreams, etc. Halfway there I almost turned around and went home but made myself go on because I had promised.

I had a GREAT time! Talked to my parts of my "crowd" that I haven't seen in 30 years! Saw people that I knew from grammar school through high school but have lost touch with. I am so glad I went and am really looking forward to tonight.

So, my advice to anyone with a reunion coming up--GO! It doesn't matter if you have gained weight, lost weight, aren't as successful as you wish, aren't rolling in money, aren't just exactly what you think you "should" be--GO! Everyone has changed, everyone has gained weight (or looks different than they want to), everyone had gotten older and many are not right where they thought they would be at this age. Its not just you. GO-- You won't regret it.

Now I realize that some people had horrible experiences when they were in high school and those experiences make them never want to see ANYONE they graduated with, and of course those are exceptions. But, if you are thinking to not go to your reunion because of the 101 reasons that most people give for not going (like I tried to do), please, do not sell yourself short and rethink it.

 

[MushyMushy]

So great to hear a positive experience! I just had my 25th last summer and absolutely loved it.

Is everyone dressing up tonight? A group of us decided this past summer that we were bucking the trend and dressed down a lot more -- dressy capris and summer blouses. Good choice for July.

 

[Witch Mountain]

My 30th is in a couple of years, and we're planning to go, now that I got it through the reunion company's head that Thanksgiving weekend is NOT a good time to schedule a reunion. Many of my classmates became teachers and summer would be ideal for them and those of us with kids, too.

Glad to hear yours was fun!

Thanks to Facebook, I'm actually looking forward to this one more than the 10th (I attended that one). However, we don't have Homecoming as you describe it. In a perfect world, they'd group three years together for reunions, so 80/81/82 on a rolling schedule, with it being a casual event, like a big picnic.

 

[bumbershoot]

I didn't have a great time in school, especially HS, but I've gone to the 10 and 20 year reunions, and I've had a basically good time. I've agonized and been a ball of nerves right up until I walk in the room, and then I am SO glad I went.

 

[luvsJack]

So great to hear a positive experience! I just had my 25th last summer and absolutely loved it.

Is everyone dressing up tonight? A group of us decided this past summer that we were bucking the trend and dressed down a lot more -- dressy capris and summer blouses. Good choice for July.

No, tonight is casual. Its actually taking place at a music fesitval that is going on in the small town our hs is in. So it will be double the fun. And after I got there last night, I discovered that not everyone dresses up for that event. Some were like almost "formal" and some had on jeans, just depending on the decade you graduated in (the older the people, the more dressed up they were)

My 30th is in a couple of years, and we're planning to go, now that I got it through the reunion company's head that Thanksgiving weekend is NOT a good time to schedule a reunion. Many of my classmates became teachers and summer would be ideal for them and those of us with kids, too.

Glad to hear yours was fun!

Thanks to Facebook, I'm actually looking forward to this one more than the 10th (I attended that one). However, we don't have Homecoming as you describe it. In a perfect world, they'd group three years together for reunions, so 80/81/82 on a rolling schedule, with it being a casual event, like a big picnic.

Facebook made a big difference on the turn out, I think. We are actually thinking of doing a big dinner each fall and get as many classmates together as possible. Not everyone will be able to go but quite a few of said they would love it. Plus since Homecoming is really for all alumni, we may do a big lake cookout on the day next year. Just to have a more casual event for everyone.

I didn't have a great time in school, especially HS, but I've gone to the 10 and 20 year reunions, and I've had a basically good time. I've agonized and been a ball of nerves right up until I walk in the room, and then I am SO glad I went.

That was EXACTLY how I felt--a huge ball of nerves! I loved high school but wasn't one of the "in" crowd either--sort of in between somewhere. But everyone was just kind of the same now--no more "popular kids" or "jocks" or "brains". Its a shame high school couldn't be more like the reunions!