This is how the conversation began:

“David, I have gained 40 pounds since high school.”  This was my lame, but valid to me, excuse for not going to our upcoming 25th high school reunion. I don’t mind the 40 pounds.  They came with moments like that time the family sat on the porch and did the unconventional,  and ate the ice cream out of the carton. But will the people that remember the athletic Trish, see the love in the pounds?

David pulled out the skills that have made him my best friend since 4th grade. He says “Trish, everybody else has too.”  Don’t ask me why, but it was the perfect response.

“Oh!” sincere surprise was my response.  Probably because I didn’t go to the 10th or 20th reunion, many of my friends remained  18 in my mind.

Time Doesn't Change Some Things

The verity of David’s good friend skills came to light.  He lied! Everybody looked great.  I was so happy to see them I didn’t care that they looked better than me. However, the changes came out gradually, beginning when we looked at the menus to order food, and four of us simultaneously redirected the menus so we could read them better. Through chuckles, comments about bad lighting, bad prescriptions and the need for a new font proved David’s point.

We all bragged about our children and appreciated the faithfulness of the love that has  remained in our lives. Thanks to facebook we could commented on each other’s posts (Note to self add more pictures of the hubby to my profile), and knew why others hadn’t been able to attend (Congratulations again to Stacy who brought a lovely child into the world this week).

Being a writer,  I was worried that people would expect to hear wonderful stories about moments we shared. This was not the case, we were content to share time and laughter.  It was weirdly like lunch time in high school, except there was loud music, big screen t.v.s and plenty of time to relish the moment.  What’s even funnier, maybe not, they didn’t know I was a writer.

Scars that are earned when navigating through life were shared. 25 years ago at the wise age of 18 we were too confused, or at least I was,  to say “I have no clue about what is going to happen next.”  At 40 something we all are wise enough to laugh and appreciate having had the moment.

Pictures were taken, and I wonder if any one could catch the essence of the night.  The one where people said, “We shouldn’t have to wait 5 years to get together again.”