Thank You Class of '83

On Saturday, I attended my 30th High School reunion.  Just typing it gives me a middle-age anxiety attack.   Initially, I wasn’t going to attend.  Why pay over $100 to see people that I run into at Sunset, Starbucks or Target?  My other internal argument against going was I already felt fat standing in line for coffee behind my svelte peers dressed in lululemon.  Did I really want to see them in cocktail dresses?  Luckily, my more mature/less shallow friend talked me into going as her date.

High School was a difficult time for me.  In eighth grade, I moved from Sk-Evanston to HP.  My personality did not outshine my jew-fro and braces.  If there had been facebook in 1983, I would’ve had single digit friends including relatives.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed seeing so many people that I am convinced didn’t know my name in high school.  And the few that were my friends, I was thrilled to have a chance to catch up with. The evening was one long, exhilarating speed dating session where the encounters were actually genuine.

A few days post reunion, life hasn’t changed much.  I am still the 48 year old version of the self conscious teen in a town full of sleeveless, sculpted, botox-beauties.  However, now I want to hear what’s new with my classmates.  How did one friend end up selling medical marijuana?   Do I check in with a friend whose parent is ill even though we haven't talked in 20 years?  Why didn’t I know the kid who is now a big studio exec?  When is another classmate who is engaged getting remarried? At least I can lurk on FB to see graduations, weddings, trips and eventually babies.

I was once embarrassed by my suburban label thinking that all my city friends were more fascinating by virtue of their zip code.  Now I am interested in the lives of those who I have a shared history no matter their location.  Not everyone from the class of 83 is my new BFF but I am happy to run into them.

On a final note, I wrote this entry because someone at the reunion that I admired in High School mentioned that she had read my blog.  I was so flattered that I thought I would revisit the blogosphere.  Just another way to stay connected with friends.