This year was my 10-year high school reunion.
I’m not really sure how that is possible. it couldn’t possibly be already 10 years since then.
And, you know, I went through elementary school, junior high AND high school with some of these people. … I don’t feel old enough to say I’ve known someone for almost 20 years … but it’s true.
{note: many of the photos below were “borrowed” from classmates posting on Facebook}
The reunion was …. weird. Half exactly-like-high-school with the same people doing the drinking and the partying and the dancing and the same people as in high school standing in the corner. Half nothing-like-high-school where I had conversations with people I may have never spoken to before.
Weird.
The girls all look exactly the same. But the boys all grew up. Filled out and got taller.
The reunion organizers (Jessica, Loreen, Nina and Sarah):
In the photo below: Ryan and Wes (and their girlfriends)
Ryan I’ve known since 8th grade. He was in ‘Hair’ when we did the “cut” version in school. Played Hud (yes, the African-American character. This was 8th grade in Southern California, remember?). Wes I’ve known since 7th or 8th grade. Once when we went on an (after) school trip to see a Lakers/Suns basketball game, he was really the only one to sit with the poor lone Suns fan.
In the photo below: Marie and Dean
Both Marie and Dean I’ve known since Junior High. Andrew even knows Marie from long ago. Marie and I used to “study” science together. Dean I can’t remember how we first met. Probably had a class together or something. He’s great….
In the photo below: me and Loreen
Loreen was senior class president (and she’s getting married next year!)
Honestly, 2 of the people I was most excited to see were Tara and Daniel.
Tara was one of my closest friends in 8th grade. She was also in ‘Hair’ and choir with us. Tara I haven’t seen since high school – but she’s just the same. Upbeat, sweet personality. And she recently moved back down to the L.A. area so hopefully I’ll see her more often.
And last-but-not-least, one of my very best friends from High School, Daniel.
Daniel is the best. He did theater with me all through 8th grade and high school …. We played opposite each other so many times, given so many gifts and cards back in forth. He lived in NYC for 9 years (and I visited him there the 1 time I’ve been).
I love this boy.
So glad he moved back to L.A.
So, you see how it was both bizarre and really cool? Putting up with boys I went to high school with act like idiots (even though you would think by now they had grown up) but also seeing some of my favorite people …
I probably won’t go to the next one.
I saw very little change in classmates at my 10th reunion too. So I didn’t go again till our 20th and it was sooo fun. Everyone had grown up and settled down and no one was about impressing anyone. I had real, deep conversations with classmates that had become believers. Very cool.
….The whole thought of high school reunions make me a little neausous. I don’t know if I’ll be able to go to mine, but I really REALLY disliked high school….REALLY. I’m glad you were able to see people that you’ve missed though, that’s always fun.
I’m not going to my 10 year reunion, although it might be a good idea to try to find some bands to record. I’m glad you got to see your old friends. you look super pretty in that red dress
xox
I haven’t ever gone to a Central High reunion because it’s so huge and I only know 2 people from there and I know how to find them.
I went to my 10 year reunion in Vermilion and it was a little weird since I left town after my sophomore year so I hadn’t experienced all the fun that everyone had in their Junior & Sr years. I had gone to school with a lot of them since Kindergarten too.
Someday, maybe I’ll go back to one in Vermilion…but most of my friends were older than me, so wouldn’t be there anyway. We’ll see if I can get anyone to go that I know at all.
We went to a couple of Dad’s reunions, which were really small. It was kind of strange to see him interacting with people that I’d never seen before.
Sometime you’ll have to tell me more about this night.
I’m so sad my brother didn’t go. I remember a lot of these faces and names, though. Sarah Carlson’s younger sister graduated with me. This kinda makes me want to be one of the organizers of my 10 year (which I definitely plan on going to!).