This weekend marks the occasion of my 20th high school reunion. While I could simply call it a high school reunion, that feels a bit misleading—our small class of 100 shared our educational journey for an entire 12 years. That’s not just high school; that’s a significant part of our childhood.
Growing Up Together
From the first day of first grade, we navigated the long hallways together, masking our nervousness. We lost teeth, played on the swings, and even dealt with lice outbreaks. We learned some not-so-nice words, sported braces, and faced the sting of being left out on occasion. We experienced our first crushes and survived awkward haircuts and every fashion trend imaginable. (I still have a photo of myself in a tie, thanks to my mom’s thoughtful archiving). We celebrated the moment braces came off, got our ears pierced, battled acne, and donned glasses.
Lessons in Love and Friendship
Then came love again. We discovered the weight of our words as we gossiped and felt the sting of being the subject of someone else’s chatter. Passing notes was a rite of passage, and the embarrassment of having one read aloud by a teacher was almost universal. We crafted collages, mixed tapes, and filled each other’s yearbooks with promises and memories.
Finding Our Courage
We learned bravery together. We tried out for teams, auditioned for plays, stood our ground, and sometimes chose to lead rather than follow. We listened to music that was technically off-limits, tasted alcohol for the first time, and felt like we were way older than our actual age.
Life Lessons Learned
Life lessons came thick and fast. We discovered that Santa wasn’t real, that we weren’t invincible, and that the world isn’t simply black and white. Our parents didn’t have all the answers, and our friends, it turned out, didn’t either.
Facing Rejection and Celebrating Success
Facing rejection became part of our shared experience. Heartbreak came from first loves, friendships, coaches, and teachers who didn’t appreciate our hard work. We experienced the thrill of success too: the joy of acing a test, scoring the winning goal, or getting accepted into college.
The Bittersweet Goodbye
We learned how to say goodbye as we graduated, took photos, and made promises to remain close. Some of those promises held true, while others faded away.
A Reunion of Nostalgia and Joy
When we gather 20 years later, it’s a bittersweet blend of nostalgia and joy. We see familiar faces, some we encounter daily and others we haven’t seen in years. It’s a powerful reminder of not just who they became, but who we all were—the child, the teen, the developing adult. Because our years together were more than just schooling; we truly grew up side by side.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, our 20th high school reunion is a celebration of shared memories, growth, and the unique bond that formed over those formative years.