Why talk about this now when it is (coughs and whispers) 26 years ago that I left school? 26 years? I got such a shock when I realised this. Anyway, I digress. I bring this up now as Friday night I went to a school reunion.
Advertised on FaceBook some months ago I hummed and hahed about whether to go as, after all, there was a very good reason why I had not seen these people in 26 years. However, in a moment of madness I found myself pressing the button that said 'accept invitation'. What had I done?
Anyway, the now dreaded night dawned and I found myself leaving the house, having booked my taxi so that I could spend just enough time there so as not to seem rude.
Quite disappointed and yet strangely relieved, I discovered there were only nine (7 women, 2 men) of us there and, yes, just like when we were at school, we somehow managed to break away into 'them and us'. Them being 6, we being 3 - myself and two other women who I had been friends with at school and who I had recently found on FaceBook.
Did I have a good night? Yes, it was good to catch up with my two old school friends who I have arranged to meet up with again. As for the others? Well we were never friends at school (I'm surprised that they even knew who I was) and, funnily enough, we aren't friends now? Any surprises? Yes, I had expected there to be lots of exaggeration going on, people reinventing themselves so that they had really well paid, exciting jobs, so that they lived in hugh houses, drove expensive cars (you know the kind of thing) but there was none of that though I think this may well have happened if there were more of us there - who knows?
So have any of you attended school reunions? What were your experiences? If you haven't attended, would you love/hate to meet up with your fellow pupils again?
16 comments:
Hello my friend! Congrats on going to your 26 year reunion and I'm glad to hear you had a great time. I went to our 5 and 10 year but moved away and didn't make it to my 20 year. I don't really care about those things either and only keep up with the friends from high school (and college) who I actually hung out with and was friends with. However, thanks to FB I can now keep up with even the "popular" kids and ironically they are a lot nicer now than they sure were back then. I think everyone grows up eventually and gets over themselves, you know? Have a great day! :o)
I went to my 20th High School reunion ten years ago and spent time with the folks who "mattered" then and now.
I am glad I went and was sad when I missed my 30th reunion last summer, it would be great to see the handful of close friends.
What is a "swot"??
I was a drama geek who lived in jeans and flannel shirts, yes, very exciting.
Even if the number is less it is a good experience was it not?.
I never got an opportunity to be a part my school event. But I have attended my hubby's college reunion. They gather every five years or so with families and it turns out be a really a big event as it is always planned for 2 days. This year it is planned on August 23 rd , and that too their 35th one. He is attending but this time I may miss it.:(
I was also a part of the "invisible" crowd. I didn't go to any reunions and I wont. I don't have any friends from high-school, nor do I wish to reconnect. It was not a great time in my life and I remember everyone being really judgmental and shallow. I realize, of course, that that was about our age but I love my life and the friends I have now. I don't understand why I would want to spend an evening with people I never really knew or liked anyway. Wow, that was mean. I think I just don't like to commit to anything unless I REALLY want to do it.
No, I have never done anything to meet them again, and apart from a few people from upper secondary education, there is no one I feel the least inclination to go anywhere to see. I was one of the book nerds, quiet and introvert, a bit chubby (at least I thought so) and not very well dressed so though I liked learning, the breaks were rarely fun. Growing up was so much better than being young; you have more influence on your own life.
Oi. I can't imagine going to one of those-glad you had a good time though. :) You are a brave soul.
I have mixed emotions about reunions. I went to my 10th (it was okay), skipped my 20th (had no regrets for doing so) and helped plan and attended my 30th (enjoyed it). However, for the most part I only stay in touch with those I want to stay in touch with (pretty much the old fashioned way since I refuse to do FB).
Glad you attended yours and had a nice time!
I have never gone to a reunion, and I don't know that I ever will. I'm terrible about staying in touch with people so it would feel incredibly awkward and I'd probably not remember who anyone was. I'm impressed you went though ... good for you. I'm sure it was a bit stressful but you did it anyway!
I have never gone to a reunion. I don't care too. I really didn't like anyone and I'm sure my feelings won't change much. It's not like we will become instant friends.
I returned to school a couple of times after leaving, to discover that I still hated the place.
I wouldn't go to a reunion.
Have a good day, Boonsong
Its great catching up on old friends. But unfortunately,i think we don't have school reunions in S'pore...well at least I know my parents never attended one.
xo
Hi! There is a gift for you on my page!
I was invisible and a little odd...but I went to reunions every time they came up until the one last year-my 40th...I forgot to go. How weird is that? The people just get fatter and balder, reliving their successes in school (dude, we were there okay??) it just seems to be getting old. I see the folks who actually saw me in school, so I don't think I am missing anything.
I've never been to any of my reunions. My high school BFF goes to all of them and tells me what happens. Ours has been relegated to a resturant table due to lack of attendance also :-) What ammuses me though is that my friend tells me that the people there are always asking about me (or so she says) when they never even spoke to me in school! I didn't even think they knew who I was...lol
Seems like you had an interesting experience!
I haven't attended any of my reunions -- mainly because the timing was never good -- 5 years was at the same time I was planning my wedding; 10 years when we lived on the other side of the country; 15 years I was very pregnant (and still living on the other side of the country), and so on and so on.
I'm still in touch with my good friends from HS and in fact will have a reunion of sorts with them when I visit my home state next week!
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