My 20th Reunion

I loved high school.  I don't know how many people can really say that.  I attended Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA - class of 1992.  I loved being part of the MV music program which included chorus, symphonic band and marching band (I mainly spun rifles).  I loved the friends I made and the memories we created together.  The academics, I really don't remember too much.  Blocked it out of my memory, I guess!

It was an exciting time for me and I feel blessed to have had a positive experience.  Looking back, I remember looking forward to all the neat things that teenagers get to experience and how curious I was to do them.  I kept a diary when I was in high school (I actually started in 7th grade) and I religiously wrote in it every night.  This diary took form of a spiral notebook that fit into a blue durable plastic notebook cover.  I wrote only on the right side of the notebook and in only black ball point pen.  I had other rules too, just don't remember right now.  Point is, I always had something to write about.  I still have my 45+ notebooks tucked away in my storage space downstairs.  The ramblings of teenage kid - precious!

So, I missed my 10th reunion.  I remember being so excited to attend that reunion.  I am the kind of person who just loves people and curious as to why they are the way they are.  I love keeping up with people and where they end up in life.  They don't even have to be a close friend!  In high school, I remember finding so many people intriguing.  These people weren't necessarily my close friends, but perhaps someone who caught my attention from afar - totally random.  Not everyone is like me and ponder people the way I do.  In college I realized that Psychology was definitely the way to go!  I enjoyed studying it so much and also found a group of friends who delighted in people like I did!

I missed my 10th reunion mainly because that was the time in my life I got married and was pregnant with my first baby, Anne.  I suddenly had more important things to focus on and my 10th reunion didn't seem to be as exciting as it initially was.

Funny how time flies and my 20th reunion sort of creeped up on me.  Time has changed so much from when I was a teenager.  I wonder how my class of '92 would have operated in the year 2012?  I love Facebook!  It seems so obvious to me why.  Today, I am "friends" on Facebook with people from HS that I wasn't necessarily good friends with - simply because I'm on Facebook.  I love reading what people are up to and the things they experience and share.  LOVE IT.  For some people, it doesn't appeal to them at all.  My husband being one of them, my sister another.  But just wanted to let you people out there know - someone finds you interesting no matter who you are!  Even more, I love blogs.  Specially if it showcases who you are and your experiences.  If you write one - let me know!

So, I decided to go to my 20th reunion.  It's surreal just to think that I am attending one of these things - 20 years has past, really??  In the age of Facebook, I can keep in touch with most everyone anyway.  I was telling my husband how it was weird to attend a function when you know every one's business, but never really have "hung" out before.  I was pondering that for a while as the days passed by toward the big day.

The big day also fell on my husband's football game with Bishop O'Connell High School.  The game was changed from 2 to 3 pm and that would mean I would have to bring our change of clothes to the game, trade my car and my kids for my in-law's car so we could go straight to my reunion.  As we were sitting at the game watching the first half, I was happy because we were ahead 2 touch downs.  That would also mean my husband would be in better mood that evening.  However, by the second half of the game we were neck and neck till the very last play of the game...into OT!  Unbelievable!  I can't stand such intense games like that!  I was happy when it was over with an SJC win!  Go Cadets!!

So, I gather my stuff and change in O'Connell's student bathrooms getting ready for my HS reunion - funny!  I would have much preferred the comforts of my own house to get ready to see people I haven't seen in 20 years.  I also was going 31 weeks pregnant!  Not that it's horrible, it's just you don't want to feel fat and swollen on your reunion!

We arrived at the reunion and immediately were greeted by so many old friends!  Everyone looked really wonderful.  I'd have to say that the class of 92 aged pretty well.  Some people didn't even seem to have aged at all.  I saw my friend Carla!  We were great friends and shared so many precious memories together. 

She's one of one's I was talking about that hasn't aged a bit!  Both of us were missing our two other buddies, Renee and Theresa.  If I had the time and a scanner, I would of contributed the many pictures I had of the four of us on the MV slide show they had.  Good times!

I believe we had almost 350 in our graduating class and about only 70 came.  There was also a happy hour on the Friday night that I didn't attend.  Apparently, some more Majors showed up. 

As I was catching up with people, I had all these images and facts pop up into my head from Facebook.  I kept saying, "On Facebook..." all night long and I was almost embarrassed at how much I take in from my daily news feed. 

This is a picture of all the band members that showed up.

I wish I took more pictures! 

Not everyone took their spouses/significant others with them to reunion.  I definitely wanted my husband there since I did really enjoy this time in my life and wanted him to get a little glimpse of the people in my life before him.  I was definitely proud of him being by my side and wish people knew what a great guy he is.  He was a trooper while I went around and got caught up with friends. 

It was a lot of fun to visit the past and see how your old friends have grown up and see and hear about the lives they've lived since graduation.  I was so happy to see friends doing well.  It was nice to talk to some "friends" on Facebook in person that I didn't really know well in HS.  I even met someone who lives right around the corner from me! 

To all of the MVHS class of 1992, God bless you all and your families.  See you in at the 30th reunion.  Or...until then, on Facebook!!