I spent the weekend in 1990

What a weekend. I got together with about 20 of my close high school friends for a little informal weekend soiree. Driving to Peoria Friday night, I tried to bring to mind all the pertinent information I should remember about each person who might be there. ( I wasn't sure who would be showing up.) I was trying to decide what I would talk about, just in case it was all uncomfortable silences, etc. But as soon as the crowd started shuffling into the restaurant it was all hugs and all the sudden 15 years evaporated. We were a really close group back in high school, but as it goes we all went our separate ways, with the exception of a few of us, namely myself and my friend Joy, who talk almost everyday. It was so great. My face and head are still hurting a little now on Monday from the ridiculous laughing that went on. Friday was adults only and then Saturday, we barbecued and let all of our kids play together. It was bizarre. Little "us-es" running around laughing together.
Aside from the kids and all the laughing, it was fun to look at each other and try to image that person in the role they had landed in. One, Tom, now a fire fighter in the Denver area. (He showed up with his new bride of six days.) Drew, in the Air Force, told us stories of his two trips to Bosnia, two to Iraq, the last being the one he missed too much of his newborn daughter's life. Then there's Joy, a doctor's wife in Bloomington. She's at home with the three cutest little kids you've ever seen. And Gordy, in the Chicago area, getting ready to celebrate his tenth wedding anniversary. Tonya, up in Grand Rapids, broke the happy news that they're probably coming home to Ill. soon. Oh and Jason, traveling around playing sand volleyball for bucks. Lori, expecting her first baby after lots of patient years of waiting on God to say the time was right. And Jill and Kevin, the only couple in the group who were high school sweethearts. We were missing a couple people, like Erik now a band director, who had a weekend of high school graduation activities to oversee. Hannah and Heather, now out in California. Ross up in Minnesota and Dave . . ., well sadly we couldn't track Dave down. Hopefully we'll catch those the next time around.
Those are a few. I love these people so much. And I realized that even though I don't see them so much these days, I think I am who I am a lot because of growing up with these guys. (okay I suddenly feel like I'm in an episode of "The Wonder Years" . . .) So maybe we'll do it again one of these days.