I think I'm reaching one of those first milestones of old age. And by that I don't mean OMG I can't believe I'm 22. Well, I guess it may seem that way for some. Anyways, the emails and messages are beginning to flow in about my ten year high school reunion.
I'm helping with what I can, submitting emails of people I know and at least staying in the loop. The truth is though, I don't even want to go.
What makes this experience a little different is the advent of social networking sites between graduation and today, specifically myspace and facebook. When I joined each one of those, the thing I liked to do was search for old friends and acquaintances from high school whom I'd lost touch with (which was about 98%). One of the things that struck me was how many people I don't remember, and by that I mean I've never heard of the person.
Here's what happens to me though when I find someone through those networking site that I DO remember well from high school. I'll go on their page, see where they went to school and what is going on with them. A part of me wants to reach out and reminisce about the good ol' days but the other part of me is worried that they'll think "wow, this loser can't let high school go".
Normally I don't concern myself with what people think (ok that was a lie) but isn't the point of a high school reunion REALLY to try to prove how much more successful you are then others and to see how unsuccessful others are?
Of course there will inevitably the people that run up to you and remember more things about you in high school then you do, then another person will come up and expect you to introduce the person of which you can't remember their name. I've got a few outs in that situation, a violent coughing fit, cell phone call, waiting for the person to introduce themselves and then apologize and pretend you didn't even realize you hadn't done the introducing. Of course, none of those make you feel comfortable about it.
And of course there will be the awkwardness when you find a group of ten people and you realize you didn't talk to 3/4 of them in high school, so why should you now?
Conversely, I suppose meeting up with everyone and talking about those good ol' days would be good, after all it was a pretty important 4 years we spent together.
I've got 9 months to think about it. Should I go?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
To go or not to go: My ten year high school reunion
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9 comments:
Just stumbled over your comment on my blog. Glad to know that I'm not the only one out there hesitant about seeing old "friends" from highschool. Good luck! Hope to read an update when the time comes
Hey,
Thanks for stopping by my site.
I know how your feel about the reunion. But you know what? I went. And not only did I have a good time I realized that I in many ways we all grew up. I think I would have regretted no going.
eric
jarguy.blogspot.com
I went to my ten and twenty year high school reunions....I am glad that I went! I haven't kept in touch with anyone specifically, but it is really nice seeing everyone again! It has also been fun for me to get in touch with different people through MySpace. So I say, go for it!
It's strange that many people think alike.So i am not the only person who feels stupid about going to reunions and all those things!Well,this year,when we had a high school reunion,i didnt make.I didnt want to!Don't know why but i still have qualms about not going there.After all,it's fun meeting your friends.What will be big harm anyway?There are also reasons for my not going there.I didn;t want to face the embarrassment of meeting my ex bf.Guess you must be having the same prob.
ANyways,i liked this post!It made me reminisce the past!Thanks!
I went to my high school reunion. It wasn't really full of people I wanted to catch up with. But something surprising happened--I had a great time. It wasn't about "who's doing better" as much as "hey, do you remember that--? Wasn't that funny!" I even renewed some old friendships and made new friends with old classmates along the way!
There's two trains of thought for me on this:
1) If you don't want to go then don't. Will going to this reunion to show that you're successful really achieve anything and improve your life and happiness.
2) You grew up with these people and these they are part of your personal history. Sometimes it can be fun to catch up with old friends. (Planning a little one this weekend myself with some old friends!)
For me I would go if I had the chance if just to see how well others are doing and catch up with old friends. You don't have to spend time with those people you didn't use to get on with if you don't want to.
Ben
thenewhorizonsproject.blogspot.com
Mine is going to be held in March... I think that's a strange time, as most people hold it in the fall or summer. I guess they didn't get the ball rolling. I am hesitant about going. I mean right now I feel like a huge failure, but people surprise you and it's not all about you. I think a lot of the people I thought were going to be successful peaked in high school. Interesting how life works out... I am 1200 miles away and probably won't make it... I know my friend had a blast at her 20 year reunion. No one knew who the hot chick in red was until they looked at her name tag. funny!
Quite a dilemma... I would personally say don't go.
Melissa bugs me all the time that we are going to ours even though we are still 3 years away. Since we met freshman year in high school she demands we go... I'm afraid to look like all the other West Michiganders (though I still love it over there) who married at 17/18 and have 5 kids.
Although I think it would be dang fun to go and imitate the movie Grosse Point Blank!!! "What is you profession now?" "I kill people." LOL
I'm also getting info on my 5-year reunion. And it's weird! I'm actually being really high school about it and declaring that I won't go unless all my friends do, too.
I think you should go. You can catch up with all the people you've been meaning to talk to, reminisce about all the fun/stupid things you did, and most importantly, see who got fat!
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