I just attended my 30th high school reunion. I’m not quite sure how it has already been 30 years! That went by quickly! Whether you went to your reunion or are thinking about skipping it, I want to take you on a journey through the emotions and memories that filled my heart during this milestone event. I also hope that if your reunion is coming up that you will consider going. Don’t get caught up in your worries and insecurities. Throw all of that out the window. We are all adults. Go have a good time and see who shows up to connect with!
Stepping into my 30th reunion felt like I was walking back in time. The moment I saw some of my friends from high school I felt like I was stepping back into my 16 year old self. I felt younger the moment that I saw them. I could see myself walking the halls of high school with them. The first friend who found me was one of my very first friends in life. I met Corey in first grade. We’ve known each other a very long time. As we stood around talking for hours, more and more people kept showing up.
I have something extra interesting about high school. My husband went to my high school. He was in the year right behind me. I knew who he was, but we didn’t say one word to each other in high school. I was with the cheerleaders, and he was busy in the drama club department. We met many years later at our synagogue. The nice part about this is that Seth wasn’t standing around bored at my reunion. He knows most of my class and was also busy talking and catching up with people. An added bonus for me.
One of the most heartwarming parts of the night was the instant connection I felt with people I hadn’t seen in a long time. It’s amazing how those teenage bonds resurface, making it easy to pick up right where we left off. My friends were sharing memories and I laughed remembering days like playing in the rain with them.
My reunion wasn’t just about catching up; it was a moment for reflection. Seeing everyone in different stages of life. I loved learning about what everyone was currently up to. I wanted to hear all about their families and their careers. It reminded me of how far we’ve all come. It made me reflect on my own journey, the ups and downs, and how each experience has shaped who I am today. It was a powerful reminder to appreciate where I am and to look forward to what’s ahead.
Lessons Learned
Be Present: Life is a whirlwind, but taking a moment to be fully present with old friends can be incredibly rewarding. Reunions are a chance to reconnect and reflect, so embrace the moment!
Celebrate Growth: We’ve all changed since high school, and that’s something to celebrate! Whether it’s a career achievement or personal growth, acknowledge how far you’ve come.
Let Go of Judgments: Leave any old judgments or grudges behind. We’re all adults now, and it’s refreshing to see people for who they are today, not who they were in high school.
Cherish Memories: High school memories may seem trivial, but they’re a significant part of our past. Embrace the nostalgia and let those memories bring joy.
Don’t wait for reunions to connect: If there is someone that you miss from high school – don’t wait for a reunion to talk to them. Find them and make some plans. I still talk to friends from high school. If I want to spend time with you I’m not going to wait ten years for the next reunion. Don’t wait!
As I left the reunion, I felt a sense of gratitude for the journey we’ve all taken. I’m thankful for the chance to reconnect. There were a lot of people missing that I wanted to see. There were only a couple of my cheerleader friends present. It makes me want to have my own cheerleader reunion. I spent many hours after school with them at practice, games and competitions. Such fond memories.
I’m thankful for who I got to see. I’m thankful that I decided to go. I had a good experience in high school. I’m also happy to be where I am in my life now. I’m happy with the busy beautiful life my husband and I have made with our three children. I am happy to connect and visit, but I wouldn’t want to go back. I love being a wife and mom so much more than I enjoyed being a teenager. I had a good experience, and I made some good friends in high school. I like 48 year old me a lot more than I liked 18 year old me. I appreciate my life today and I am also happy I got to see so many high school friends.
I also have friends from high school that I still talk to regularly. I stayed in the town I grew up in so I can see them whenever I want to. I’m not going to wait until a reunion to see my friends. It may be hard as a busy working mom, but we need to make time for our friends too. My goal is to get one of my best friends to the next reunion. I would also like to reach out to more of my friends and encourage them to come next time. People need to know that we want to see them. It is a lot harder for those that don’t live here. I think it’s incredible that some people traveled to town for the reunion.
Have you attended your high school reunion, or are you considering going? I’d love to hear about your experiences! As I attended my 30th high school reunion Seth’s aunt was in town attending her 50th high school reunion! I thought that was very cool.
Happy Reminiscing!
Laughing, Learning, Loving,
Rebecca Greene, LCSW-R
Check out my 
:
Whinypaluza Notes:
Whinypaluza Mom Group:
If you are looking for a supportive community, come join the free Whinypaluza Mom Facebook group. I created this as I wanted us to have a place where we can talk about tips, strengths and challenges we are having. It is another step I took to help everyone to know that you are not alone. Come take part in my June birthday challenge! Jump in and join the group and bring a friend with you! I love to give away prizes. This group is private so please find me on Facebook at Whinypaluza or Rebecca Greene and message me to ask for an invite. I’m also on Instagram @becgreene5 and @whinypaluza_mom. I am also on Tik tok @whinypaluzamom.
The Whinypaluza Schedule:
Whinypaluza Wednesdays: My weekly blog comes out every Wednesday. I am always open to your topic requests. A new Vlog (video blog) also comes out every Wednesday night on Facebook and You Tube live at 9:00 PM Eastern time to discuss the blog. If you would rather listen to a podcast than watch a Vlog, you can wait for the following Wednesday and the Vlog is released on my Podcast.
Family Fridays: Every Friday morning a new Podcast is released. Most of my episodes on Fridays are me discussing parenting and marriage with experts on the topic. If you would rather watch the Podcast instead of listen, you can watch it on You Tube. If you would like to be on my Podcast or know someone who would like to please message me on Facebook or Instagram or at whinypaluzamom@gmail.com
