Just a Memory

Like many of my 28 year old friends, this year is my 10 year high school reunion. Unlike many of my 28 year old friends, I had less than 30 people in my graduating class. We had one hallway in our school. I was third in my class academically but wasn’t in the top 10 percent. I knew everyone’s name in our whole high school. I probably even knew their siblings’ and parents’ names as well (I wasn’t a stalker, I promise). It was a small high school experience, but I loved it.

As I approach this 10 year mark, I reflect on my experiences and my perception. I recently ran into an old high school friend. I asked her about our upcoming 10 year and her attendance. Her response was, “High school is over and I’m thankful for that. I don’t need to relive those times.” That statement stayed with me. I explored my thoughts on the subject and she was right. As much as I thought I loved high school, its high school, and it’s just a memory.

Diving back into those memories surprisingly brought insecurities I didn’t realize ever existed. I never felt like I was cool enough or rich enough for people (like EVERY teenager). I wonder, did the people who WERE cool enough and rich enough, ever feel like THEY were? Probably not. Today, as I step back into that world, I know I’m still that girl. I’m still that girl that everyone views as a Goody-Goody. I’m still that girl who puts her heart into everything and gets hurt when rejected. I’m still that girl that will wear an ugly costume because it just fits the theme too well. I’m still that girl who may put more into the friendship than the other side. I have no idea exactly the view people had of me in high school, but I can guess. Well, and that’s fine, because I know who I am.

As I’ve been looking forward to my 10 year for a while now, I think everything happened exactly the way it should have. It played out like high school, I just didn’t realize it till now. I had such fond memories of high school, because of the people I shared it with. Sure there were teachers and activities that were a huge contribution, but it was those dear friendships that kept me going. I wasn’t “cool” then and I’m DEFINITELY not now! I was completely awkward and felt out of place as I stepped on the campus, but walked out in laughter as I spent a couple of hours at a table with two of my closest high school friends. That WAS my high school experience. I loved high school because I had some great friends that kept me laughing through any awkwardness. Thanks for the memories folks, I love to look back but happy to move on.

Brian may have hurt his broken arm by giving in to the Right-Handed Handshake,
Lindsey