It's that time already?

The moment I checked my email and saw the subject line I cringed.
And the reaction surprised me just like it did before. It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. I mean it’s been 10 years. A whole DECADE since we tossed those caps and set out for the real world of college and adulthood.

But for some reason, my initial reaction is a cringe anytime I see or hear anything related to my high school class reunion. Which can’t be normal because I keep getting all these happy emails and myspace notices from former classmates anticipating the reunion.

Even the subject lines are all enthusiastic. I mean if subject lines like “Register at C/O ’97 Reunion Website” or “REUNION SUGGESTIONS” don’t sound bubbly, I don’t know what does. (Hey, don’t ask me how I can tell they’re bubbly because I wouldn’t be able to explain it. They just ARE.)

It started off like six months to a year ago with whispers. Well, OK, they weren’t whispers, more like questions that came every time I ran into a former classmate, which is crazy in itself because somehow I don’t run into them often. “Have you heard anything about a reunion yet?” they’d ask.
I’d shrug my shoulders and say “Nope, sure hadn’t.” And that’s when I noticed that what I was really thinking was “Nope, thank GAWD!”

I don’t even know why. I mean it’s not like I’m doing bad or anything. I mean, I’m not rich and famous, but at least I can check the “employed” box in a hypothetical survey. That automatically means you’re doing OK, right?

And it’s not like I had a scene from “Carrie” at my high school prom that I’m afraid of re-living or anything.

Heck, I’m still trying to figure out how a nerd like me even made it to prom – with an actual DATE!

I don’t know, maybe it’s because high school reminds me of such a different time in my life, as I’m sure it does for most folks who can even remember it.

I mean, thank goodness I wasn’t the geek that got “wedgies” everyday or got picked on or bullied.
As far as I know I was a pretty likeable nerd.

But I always felt like I found myself in college. That’s where I found my “bestest” friends. That’s where I had the most fun of my life, that’s where I set the foundation for my future career. That’s where I felt 100 percent comfortable being me because there were thousands others just like me. Or maybe not just like me, but all striving for the same goals: success. That’s just where I fit in. Where it all began for me.

And high school? Well, it was high school. I mean it was fun and I had friends, but you know how high school is.

Even if you were one of the chosen popular ones, you still remember. I mean who really wants to re-live adolescence and puberty and all that?

Nevertheless, even as I type this, I’m cringing. Still deciding if I want to go. Fortunately, I feel somewhat normal after running into some classmates who seem to cringe just like me.

At first I said “Absolutely not.” Then I started thinking
“Maybe I’ll consider it.” Now, I’m just at a “Hmmmm…I don’t know…” And anyone who knows me knows what that last phrase usually leads to …

But who knows…At least I still have about two months to decide.