FEELING LIKE I'M SEVENTEEN AGAIN


TO RE-UNION OR NOT TO RE-UNION?

I'm not a big fan of high school reunions. I went to a large high school in the city and I've never been back for a reunion. I still keep in touch with a few of my friends from those days via Facebook but as for the rest, well I haven't missed them in the last 35 years so I doubt I'll be in a hurry to see any of them again! But there is one type of reunion that I never miss and they are the ones organized for the youth group I attended as a teenager.

ALL THAT SHARED HISTORY

Fortunately they only have them once every ten years or so (which is enough for the introvert in me who hides behind the extroverted persona). The youth group that I went to from 16 til about 20 was full of young people of the same age and stage and I think I was friends with every one of them! We had so many fun times together on Friday nights and at camps and just going out in groups on the weekend to the movies or the beach or whatever took our fancy. Then there were the 21st parties, the engagements and the weddings as we grew older.

I've remained good friends with a few of them and we try to spend time together as often as distance allows. Our children know each other and we are still at the same age and stage 30 or so years later. The idea of catching up with everyone always makes me a little bit happy inside and I immediately revert to my 17 year old self again when I think about seeing everyone and this year was no different!

SOCIAL MEDIA VS SNAIL MAIL

What was different this time around was that the invitation came via a Facebook event rather than by mail (ten years makes such a difference!) and the number who attended was bigger this time too - I think because social media keeps us more connected and we didn't feel like strangers. People flew in from across the country and one came from her home in America because it tied in with her visit back to see her family. There were probably fifty or so of us there and it was interesting how my brain converted the older versions of people back to their younger selves once we started talking. The majority are grandparents now and talking about retiring - it seems like only yesterday I was going to their weddings! 

There were old boyfriends to say hi to and old friends to exchange hugs and hellos with too. So much talking, so many memories and so many new events to catch up on. Who needs a high school reunion when you can become a recycled teenager with all the friends that you have so much history with? I can't wait for the next one in another ten years' time!
we're not old - we're recycled teenagers
Love this meme from Fb/Running to nowhere

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Do you have "the old gang" that you still keep in touch with? Has Facebook and social media helped maintain the connection? I love that feeling of being a recycled teenager every so often, don't you?


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16 comments

  1. How Fun! I have never been to my Hi-School reunion either because it was a big school and I haven't lived in the city since I was 18. My few friends I keep up with fill me in and that is enough for me.

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    1. I'm not much of a party girl - especially when it comes to people making comparisons with how their lives have panned out. Youth group was more forgiving and has stayed that way, so it was fun instead of confronting!

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  2. Reunions are great places to feel young and make new memories. I still am in touch with grade school kids. Does anyone say grade school any more?

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    1. we don't say it in Australia but I know what you mean - I have a couple of friends from back in those days too Stacey!

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  3. Sounds like an entertaining evening. I've only been to one of my High School reunions because I feel similarly about reconnecting with my former classmates. I also find it interesting that invitations to events are now coming via social media. I even get invited to the grand kids birthdays and such through social media.

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    1. My mum commented about writing someone a letter and I can't remember the last time I did that either Judy - social media and email have taken over the world of communication!

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  4. I attended my first and only high school reunion this year Leanne. I didn't want to go initially but so glad I did. We had a FB page about a year before the reunion so we could all become reacquainted again. It was suprising the friendships I've made with girls that I didn't really know at school. Thanks for sharing your experience with us at #WednesdaysWisdom. BTW love the pic where did you find that?

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    1. It was on Pinterest Sue - one of my go-to places when I'm not trying to claim something as my own :)

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  5. I don't like reunions either and have never been to one. Yours sounds like it would be fun though.

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    1. much better than turning up to a high school one where I get to feel uncomfortable for hours with people I haven't seen for 30+ years!

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  6. Thanks for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!

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    1. thanks for hosting Mary - I love sharing on your linky :)

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  7. What a fun post! I love the idea of being recycled teenagers ;-) I wasn't able to go to my 10 year but my 20 is approaching and I can't wait! Thanks for sharing at #JoyHopeLive. I hope to see you there again tomorrow.

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    1. Hi Hope - remember to be a teenager when you go to your 20th - just minus all the anxiety and self esteem issues we all had back then!

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  8. Hi Leanne just wanted to let you know you are one of my two favourite picks for this weeks' #WednesdaysWisdom. Congratulations and see you next week.

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.