When Everything Has Changed but Nothing Has Changed

Does anyone get that feeling when you see someone you haven't in a while? Well, not THAT feeling, the sheer panic that you feel as you quickly duck into an aisle at the grocery store. No, I'm talking about the way the world stops for a second and you're suddenly transported to that time when you knew that person.

There's nothing better than catching up with an old friend. You know, the one that knew you when you were just figuring yourself out and maybe pretty dorky, but still talks to you? That kind of friend. We had my 20 year reunion on Saturday, and boy can I tell you, it was a night for the books. Even my husband had fun.

Class of 2004

I wasn't that excited about the reunion, to be honest. What if it was awkward and I had nothing to say? I hadn't seen a lot of these people in 20 YEARS and what if I didn't know anyone? Maybe it's getting older, we can blame it on COVID, there's probably a whole book that can be written about this (and I'm guessing there is). Walking into a room not knowing what to expect can be one of the most daunting things.

But when you think about it, the people in that room are probably feeling the same way. Everyone is a little bit self conscious, even if they act like they aren't. We're all unsure of ourselves to some extent, but it's the people who just power through it that truly win. And those people who got themselves to Peoria, dressed up and came out to mingle with old classmates, they definitely won the night (I'm not saying this to make anyone feel bad if they didn't come. Just thinking out loud here. I love you even if you couldn't make it and hope to see you next time).

There were a lot of people there that I didn't know very well (or at all). Like, I asked their name and was basically introducing myself for the first time. We forgot to do name tags, which was kind of a miss, but actually made it fun to go up and say "I know your face, but what is your name?"

And was it awkward? Actually, not at all. We danced, we sang, we looked at old yearbooks and toasted to our class and the five friends who couldn't be there but were there with us in spirit. It wasn't a huge group of us, but the ones who made it seemed to all have an amazing time. We left the event with full hearts (and maybe a little bit of a headache) and some new friends that we hadn't even known back then.

Remembering Keishana, Terra, Nick, David, and Sarah

Beautiful display created by Amanda A.

At the end of the event, we all got in a big circle and sang "Good Riddance (Time of your Life)" by Green Day. And did the Richwoods chant, complete with "Eat Em Up" at the end (IYKYK). As we were arm in arm, people from all the different cliques, and friends from near and far, I looked at all these people and had a feeling of sheer happiness at all the smiles and laughter. It was one of those moments that you want to bottle up and pull out in times when you're down.

Having Fun with Old and New Friends

I had found the mother load of pictures from the early 2000's, from times that were way back in the nooks and crannies of my brain. Looking at the slideshow of all our memories with these people who were a big part of making me ME was a very special feeling. It made me realize that we all were lucky to have had that time together, and each other.

It made me think, I have never left an event thinking "I wish I hadn't gone to that." Maybe there have been times that have been a little awkward or boring, a let down if you will. But never enough that I regretted going. What if we just took a deep breath and embraced that uncomfortable feeling of going into a room alone? Because you just never know the connections you may make or if there is a person in there who may be your new best friend.

Wearing green for the Knights with my friend Abby

My dad had a mug that said "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." And I didn't really understand it until I got older. Well, the other night definitely was more than I could have ever imagined.

Here's to the Class of 2004, and to just walking through those doors.

Hayley

PS I leave you with a song that I loved singing in my dad's car- mostly because it said "crap." I played it over and over, rewinding the tape and singing it at the top of my lungs, with the emphasis on that word. But it captures the nostalgia of remembering old times in a better way than you can with words.

PPS More pictures of the night to come once I get the okay from all our friends. If I do say so myself, we looked GOOD. Check back for some documentation of that epic night.