One of the biggest surprises of the night came in the form of a time capsule. I had no recollection of this project, but apparently all the '99 grads received envelopes that we filled with whatever we thought we'd like to see in our late twenties. Mine contained a variety of fun little treasures: high school photos, a movie ticket stub, a semi-love note from an ex. But the best thing of all was the message I wrote to myself about the next stage in my life. In addition to talking about my excitement over starting college and getting out of high school, I wrote that I wanted to marry someone "whose job allows us to travel the world." Sheesh. Kids say the darnedest things. Ten years later I'm pretty pleased I got to do the traveling thing, and especially pleased I did it all by myself.We like to think we change so much after high school. We think we'll go to the reunion and show everyone what different people we've become. Wait until they see me now! But you know what? Standing in that room filled with former classmates, I felt like we hadn't changed one little bit. At least not in any fundamental way. The shy kid was still shy, the super involved kid was still super involved, the crazies were still crazy, the ones you enjoyed talking to you still enjoy talking to, and the ones you avoided (and who avoided you in return), well, time doesn't make any of you change your minds. As for me, I thought the reunion would reinforce my belief that I've become a completely different person from the one in I see in my high school photos, but that didn't happen at all. Turns out, I'm still the girl who wants to travel the world.
4 comments:
Interesting post. Though you shouldn't underestimate the changes you might have made. I am still friends with some people I went to high school with, though I don't get to see them much now I am in Europe. However, I often found that despite any changes or growth I was making in my personal life, when I got together with my high school friends, I fell back to being the same guy I was in high school. I noticed a similar thing with my college friends. I think it is much easier to just fall into familiar roles when confronted with familiar people and places then it is to try and change. It’s too confusing for the people you deal with and it’s too confusing for you.
i have my 10 year on august 1st. i wonder how many people will really go. my high school was not that well bonded...
my job lets me travel the world....sadly, though tanya, we're not gonna get married lol
@Greg, I really like your perspective on this one. Never thought about it that way, but it makes sense.
@Matt, are you planning on attending your reunion?
I'm responsible for planning my reunion next year. Ugh. But I love what you said in your time capsule - sounds like something I would have said. Funny how far we've come! See you Sunday - Anon.
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