This past weekend I went to my High School Reunion in my beloved hometown of Huntington, NY. I won’t dare mention how many years I’ve been out of High School, my body knows the answer. The reminders that appear in my shoulders, knees or hips tells me it was a long time ago. This past Saturday night though, I didn’t feel any of those sharp sudden twangs and aches, all I felt was elation. It was as if the clock turned backwards and I felt like that 18-year-old girl with wide eyes, and hope for the future, only now a few more wrinkles I earned doing life are there.
It seems so strange that after so many years of being out of high school, moving out of Huntington and living in Raleigh, NC for 10+ years, I would have the nervous butterflies in anticipation of revisiting a time when I was uncertain about myself. It was as if the angst that plagued me so many years ago before adulting took over, was reappearing. As I was getting ready for the party, I worried that all those feelings from long ago would erupt, like a teenager’s case of acne. My internal churn was in full force; a dichotomy of feelings of being uneasy and enthusiastic. Would my anxiety take root, or would I be the rational person who took some chances after graduation? I embraced both, as I was someone who resembled that girl from long ago. I needed to remind myself that that I am not the same person I was when I graduated from high school. I went away to college, moved into Manhattan, traveled for work, got married, had a kid, and wound up in a state that was never on my radar. Yet, those feelings manifested into a persuasive voice that said “No one will remember you” or “Weren’t you the girl who stared out the window during French class?” I know I willingly put myself back into the cauldron of time, and I realized that my silent machinations were overly dramatic.
I coerced my friend who has known me almost my entire life - from middle school, working together at the same restaurant in high school (bussing tables at Nina’s Italian Restaurant in Southdown), attending the same college, and my roommate while we took a semester in London to join me. “Come on, it will be fun” I said. “Besides, if it is terrible, we will be together” I continued. She agreed after a few persuasive conversations . She then asked her good friend and then we were a party of three. I was unsuccessful recruiting others I keep in touch who diplomatically declined. A few weeks ago, I teetered on cancelling as that voice was making noises, and finally, I decided to no longer listen.
This time was different.
From the time I walked into the reunion my heart was delighted by the sheer turnout of warm, welcoming smiles. It was so much fun being reintroduced and reconnecting with long lost friends, and meeting new ones! I loved reminiscing and being reminded of things I forgot and learned tiny details of events. It was like discovering lost puzzle pieces that filled in the gaps of my memories. Not only were the stories shared eye opening, it has altered my perspective and allowed me to fully accept and appreciate my past, and my outlook on past events. I can't speak for anyone else, but I am fairly certain everyone, and I mean everyone was genuinely happy to see their classmates, hear about their lives and reconnect with their fellow Huntington Blue Devils. (Fun fact - my family and I are dedicated UNC Tarheels, as I work at UNC and my son is a recent graduate. When I hear Blue Devils, I first need to pause, then ask if it is the Huntington Blue Devils or the other university down the street.)
With over 120+ classmates in attendance plus spouses, there wasn’t enough time to talk with everyone. I am grateful that I got to hear about where life has taken others, and more importantly, letting those who had an impact on my life know how important they remain, even though I may not have seen or spoken to them since our graduation! What I found even more surprising was hearing about the impact I had on others! Receiving validation, even umpteen years later, is still validation! And of course, discussing those parties held at my parents’ house while they were out of town, will remain a topic for the ages. Truth be told, I finally fessed up to my mother about the party where a fight broke out, a friend got hurt, a window was broken and I called the police on myself to break up the party shortly before she passed away. She laughed, I laughed. I digress, and that is a story for another day.
The food was great, the band entertaining, and sharing the night with so many, I now have the privilege of calling friends (old and new) was certainly a highlight. The night ended way too soon as I didn't get a chance to talk with everyone! After the band stopped playing, hearing last call, the lights turned bright and finally the words “You need to leave” uttered, the crowd remained - no one wanted to leave. I think it speaks volumes about the night! The party migrated across the street to Shamrocks, the local bar, and I stayed out well into the morning hours. Like I said earlier, I felt like my former self, an 18 year old.
As I headed to the airport after all festivities ended, I realized how completely fortunate I am to have grown up in a special place like Huntington. I will always think of this place as my small-town paradise with beaches on LI Sound and the Ocean in our backyard. I admit, I took it for granted. Lest I forget to mention the warm, kind and generous individuals who celebrated each other at the reunion, and with whom I had the great fortune of growing up and walking the hallways of Huntington High School with.
Even though I no longer reside in Huntington or New York, I will always consider Huntington the forever home in my heart. You can take the girl out of Huntington, but not Huntington out of the girl! Am I right or am I right?!
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