Yep, I graduated high school 20 years ago.
Twenty years. That is just insane.
And just to prove the point, consider that back in 1994 …
A movie ticket was $4.08.
Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan received a club to the knee (a story I recapped in way too much detail in our yearbook).
Kurt Cobain committed suicide.
The top song of the year was “The Sign” by Ace of Base (gag).
“Pulp Fiction” and “Forrest Gump” were released.
“ER” and “Friends” debuted.
Crop tops were all the rage (wait, aren’t they back?!)
I’m lucky that my high school experience was pretty positive for the most part, and I still remember most of it was yesterday.
Friendships. Cramming for tests. Crushes and broken hearts. School dances. Traveling to tennis matches. Spending two hours on the phone each night, rehashing the events of the day: who wore what, what boy smiled at me, what teacher picked on us during class.
(Of course, there are other parts I was happy to bid farewell to. The insecurity. The peer pressure. The uncertainty. The rumors and gossip.)
But it’s strange: I haven’t heard anything about a 20-year reunion. And given that it’s now July, I’m beginning to suspect we aren’t having one.
Part of me wonders … Is there less interest in high school reunions nationwide in this era of Facebook and social media?
Think about it.
All the curiosity, the intrigue, the wondering about “what happened to so-and-so?” — which would normally be addressed at a high school reunion, and was the case at my 10-year reunion in 2004 — can now be found, for better or for worse, on Facebook.
You know who’s gotten married (and divorced). Who has kids. Whose career has taken off. Who looks the same. Whose appearance has changed drastically (c’mon, you know you notice that sort of thing). Who moved away. Who stayed in town. And, sadly, who has left us.
Okay, yes, at first, I admit to being kind of relieved about the idea of possibly not having a reunion, of avoiding all the stress and anxiety that often go along with it. But then I found myself feeling more disappointed than anything.
Because you can’t hug an old friend through Facebook. Viewing someone’s carefully cropped and filtered Instagram photos is not the same as seeing them in person. A witty or exaggerated Facebook status cannot replace an actual conversation.
Sure, I still talk to (and actually see) a few friends from high school; I mean, my best friend and I live in the same town, an hour away from where we grew up.
But over the years, I have lost touch with some people who played significant roles during a formative part of my life. People I shared secrets and dreams with. People whose shoulders I cried on, and vice versa. People who knew me “way back when”, who I grew from a child to a teenager to a young adult with.
So I’m holding out hope that a reunion will come together. Yes, reunions can be awkward and expensive, and there will always be people you simply don’t care to see. But on the other hand, it would be wonderful to wrap myself in nostalgia for an evening and reconnect with my old classmates, give them a hug, and wish them well.
Christa Jones says
I also graduated in 94. We had our 20 year reunion over Memorial Day weekend & I couldn’t attend since I live out of state. I was sad, but don’t feel as bad as I would have without Facebook. And I went back to NJ 2 weeks later with my family and saw my best friends from high school so that helped too. I hope your class pulls something together!!
Jessica says
Thanks, Christa! And glad you were able to get back ad spend time with your friends 🙂 Go Class of ’94!
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
I went to my 10 year last summer, and it was WAY better than Facebook. Real life moments… seeing people who you thought were so damn cool, and now are just peers. Less fear and just making a girls’ night was awesome! My hubby’s 20 year is next year and I hope he has one… I am working hard post-baby so people can see his hott young wife 😉
Jessica says
I have no doubt you will be one hot mama 😉
Jackie says
I think they are important! My husband and I went to our 25th high school last weekend. (I moved to East Greenwich when I was 16 from Texas.) I will admit, not as many people went to this reunion compared to the 20th, but we definitely enjoy staying in touch with some of our dearest friends. Love your post of memories and yes, I remember all those things too because that’s the year after we graduated college! (You SO rocked those Brenda bangs!)
Jessica says
Thanks, Jackie! Ahhh, if my 18-year-old heard that, you would have made my year 😉 I took great pride in those suckers – lol.
Dollops of Diane says
Sounds like someone (pointing at you!!) needs to plan it!
Jessica says
I knew someone would say that 😉 Honestly, I would if I had the time and lived closer …