15th Reunion

Well, I never did RSVP. I was feeling still completely hesitant about going up until the minute I did. But God, He's a good God and He took good care of me.

The reunion was on the 5th and on the 4th, as we were all sitting around at the BBQ, Mia asked me to go on a walk. So we walked past all the festivities to the beach. We walked down toward the water and I looked to my left and saw a girl whom I had grown up with, Regina. We went to school together from elementary all the way through high school. (And I liked her.) I got very excited and she and I started chatting. She introduced me to her family and I introduced her to Mia. I told her about the reunion (she didn't know about it) and we discussed going (neither of us were sure but I advised to eat first so they wouldn't have to eat there - I do respect the whole RSVP thing).

So, when I went to the reunion, lucky me, I was the first one there other than the hostesses. We said hello, oohed and aahed over their babies, chatted and then, awkward silence. I knew all the hostesses but, well, we weren't exactly best of friends. Or even good friends. Or even really friends. More like general acquaintances. But, here's where the God is good part comes in, the girl from the 4th at the beach, Regina, she was the 2nd person to show up. I ran to her (no hyperbole) and hugged her - so happy! I told her that I had left my kids with Mia figuring that it would be an easy out, "Oh sorry, I've got to split and go get my kids." Turns out, Regina did a similar thing; her teenaged daughter was working and while she could get her mother to pick up the child, she was opting to do so, "Oh sorry, I've got to split and go get my daughter." Fabulous. Isn't there a line about great minds thinking alike?

Regina became my anchor and I clung to her side for the next little bit, welcoming others who showed up, some of whom I only had a vague recognition (they weren't even up to acquaitance status) and then Nell showed up. I was thrilled. I had gone to her wedding and had thought of her over the years but hadn't seen her since then (oh, 14 years ago). She and I chatted, exchanged email addresses and then I was off. Outta there! Coincidentally, or not, Regina and I basically left at the same time. I'm so glad God sent a friend, even one I'm not close with and haven't spoken to in years, to my rescue because, really, I felt like the uncool kid who somehow scores an invite to the popular kids' party only to stand in a corner sipping her water all night and watching with that creepy kind of lonely desparation.

Am I going to go to my 20th? I don't know. There are a few people I would really like to see who say that they will be at the 20th. If they go, I'll go. Barring that, I think I could actually find a party with my ultra cool friends and then I could be the one in the center of the room dancing on the table. So much more fun than sipping water in the corner.