25 years down the road... things are very different!

[hoover1060]

So we went to my high school reunion last night, 25 years since I graduated.
Class of 1982... some of it seems like yesterday. I no longer know where my yearbooks are, but in my mind's eye I remember faces, as they were all those years ago, when we were 18.
I didn't have the best time in HS, I spent most of the time trying to be part of the wallpaper, hoping nobody would really notice me. I wasn't "out" because in 1982, even in the happening suburb of Elk Grove Village Illinois, it was not cool to be gay. I remember one other guy in my class coming out at the end of our senior year, and how scandalized everyone was by it.
So we went, Michael and I hand in hand to the reunion. back in the day everybody had pretty much pegged me as gay, so I thought why not finally come out officially and end the 25 years of wonder.
It was all surreal. Some people looked NOTHING like they did back then. Time had not been so kind. Others looked the same, maybe a little heavier or a different color hair, but easily identified.
I saw and talked to the guy I had a HUGE crush on my freshman year. He hugged me and wanted our picture taken(I was dying!)

I saw the girl I had a crush on my freshman year. She had the most beautiful eyes, and still does.

I saw the girl that sat next to me in French class all 4 years. She's even more beautiful today.

What freaked me out is how seeing all these people made me feel like I was right back in HS, 18 again, scared and unsure. Nobody even blinked when I introduced Michael, no big revelation there. Michael is the life of the party and could have fun anywhere, and last night was no exception. He spent a good deal of the night out on the dance floor with all the (ex)cheerleaders. They had a blast.
Anyone else have a similar experience with a reunion?
So here are a few pics, and who these people were.
First is Michael dancing up a storm with one of the Cheerleaders!

 

[hoover1060]

Group shot

Cindy, myself, Sandy and Dave...I had a huge crush on Dave back in the day!

 

[hoover1060]

John

John and I had gym class together a few times(please no locker room jokes) Back in the day he had long hair, only wore denim, and scared the daylights out of me...
He was a riot last night!

 

[hoover1060]

Cindy...

still looks the same, and is just as funny as I remembered her.
Michael just loved her!

 

[hoover1060]

and finally

Cathy, who sat next to me in French I, II, III, and IV. We had a blast back then, and it was so nice to see her last night!
(I was just slightly smashed at this point of the evening)

 

[hoover1060]

afterwards

There was a party in one of the adjacent Hotel's rooms... it took 25 years, but I finally got invited to a party!

Here I am with John's wife Melissa trying to black out my senior yearbook picture!

 

[programcomputer]

Time heals all it seems...

Awww....come on Jeff show us the senior pic.

I went to my 10 year a few years back. I was scared and nervous and did not have anyone to take off the heat. You were lucky to have Michael there. He is such a people person...he could charm the birds out of the trees.

Anyway, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, and in fact...now that I was "out" it made everyone more comfortable and understanding. Sure there were more than a few that were still a-holes and treated me poorly...but overall I would do it again.

Im scared to think about my 25th. Seems funny that Im less than 15 years from it.

Looks like you had a great time Jeff...good for you that you went and just had a good time.

Chad

P.S. You as wallpaper? Never....

 

[kenmore58]

Jeff,

I'm so glad to hear that you had a good time at your reunion. I have attended all of mine. My 30th was last November, and they seem to get better with age.

I had just been with my former partner for about a year when I took him to my 20th reunion. I attended an all-male prep. school, so I wasn't as nervous as you were about bringing a same sex date. Everything went fine and we had a good time.

Fast forward to my 30th reunion. My long-term relationship with said partner ended three days before my 30th reunion. I went anyway. Most people asked about Eric and I explained that we had ended it days before. They were quite comforting. I guess I was lucky to attend such a great high school with a wonderful bunch of guys.

By the way, for having attended school with 192 guys in my graduating class, only a handful (maybe 5 or 6) were gay. Quite interesting statistics.

Ron

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Jeff. Looks like you and Michael had a great time.

Ross

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Interesting Life Event

Isn't it?
The first of my class reunions I attended was also my 25th.
My class wasn't large ; I don't recall the exact number.
Everybody was very nice. Most people knew that I am gay and
it made no difference to them. That was in '95. Since then we also seem to be getting together every 5th birthday ; ie 45 ,
50 , 55. Though the get togethers have become less formal.
It seems to me that most people are happy to still be kicking,
and they are self assured enough that it doesn't matter who
thinks what. It blows my mind that so many of them are Grand-
parents!!

 

[hoover1060]

defining moments

Thanks for the comments, initially I had no feelings towards or against going to this, too many other things happening this week I guess.
I didn;t get nervous until we were getting out of the car on Saturday night and Michael said something. Then as we walked in the door I recognized a couple of faces, and that was it, back in HS all over again.
Defining moments for me were when one of the jocks, now about 240 pounds came up and told me I looked like a success(alcohol was flowing freely by then)
Another came from Pam and Tom, the head cheerleader and the captain of the football team, they were sweethearts in HS and now have been married 20 years, they were as nice as they could be to us!
And the most memorable moment came from Dave(see picture above) whom I had a HUGE crush on freshman and sophomore years. He was really glad to see me, and he hugged me like I was a long lost friend. We chatted for a bit, I introduced him to Michael, and it was nice.
I really felt welcome.

 

[frigilux]

I never thought I'd be one to attend class reunions, but I've been to all of mine; The 30-year reunion was this past summer. Talk about feeling old! We were only a class of 77 (77 in '77, as we used to yell...) so obviously everyone knew everyone pretty well. And we're all still on the planet, which, given our backgrounds, is amazing, LOL.

I found that, over 30 years, most people dropped any dislikes/grudges they'd harbored and it was much easier to talk to people who weren't part of your particular circle back in the day...

 

[hoover1060]

I guess I'll have to wait 5 more years

I saw people on Saturday night that still held grudges and had bad feelings, and some people who still thought they were all that and a bag of chips...
My class was about 350 big... large group and typical for the suburbs at the time...

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Karma.....

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for sharing your great time with us! Looks like you guys had a blast!
Isn't it funny that the classmates that were always nice, age well, and continue to have a great life, and also look fantastic!
Those who were jerks, never learn, and continue to be.....and look like crap usually.
I think it is proof that Karma does exist! I see it working with people in my life all the time. Sometimes, you can see it work within one year!
Anyway....thanks for your post, and sharing your great time! Looked like so much fun!
Brent

 

[hoover1060]

very wise words Brent

I have always been a firm believer in KARMA, and have always tried my best to treat people the way I'd want them to treat me.
Karma will get you though, bite you right in the A**!

 

[63getelevision]

I graduated in 1972

I have NEVER gotten any notices for a reunion, and even though I had friends in HS, I would never go to one. Jeff, they say the best revenge is living well, and I am truly glad you and Michael had a great time. I think only the popular people in my class got notices.