High School Reunion

My ten year class reunion was back in October.  Brian was such a great sport to take the day off work and hang out with me for the day.  I wasn't sure if I was going to go or not as I was NOT the greatest fan of high school back in the day.  I was finally talked into going by some friends and my boss.

The day started with "breakfast" at the local bar.  You know you graduated from Coolidge High when your reunion starts and ends at a bar.  We didn't go over there until just before it was time for us to go to the pep assembly at the high school.  When we got to the bar drinks were already flowing and many were already drunk.  The organizer of the reunion arranged for the "Goose Express" (the bar's shuttle service) to drive the class around to the different activities throughout the day.  Brian and I opted out of riding on the bus and took our own vehicle.  We also gave a couple of my non-drinking friends a ride to save them from having to ride the bus as well.

When we got to the pep assembly it was pretty chaotic and not very organized.  I was once again reminded of how happy I am to be OUT of high school.  The assembly was lame and I am still not sure why the high school had asked us to attend as they did not involve us.  We looked around the new school a little while we waited for the new parade.  The high school was completely torn down and a new one was built, this is the first year that the new high school is open.  It is weird to see it all different.  We saw a teacher that we all had in 7th and 8th grade.  Then she came to the high school our senior year as the assistant principal.  We all got away with so much that year because we were her favorites. 

Brian was asked to drive our truck in the homecoming parade by one of the high school clubs.  So I rode on the fire engine with my class in the parade.  It was very over-rated.  It was hot and many of them were (still) drunk.  I guess they had stopped at the gas station to buy more beer an they were drinking on the fire truck through the entire parade.  Although it was nice when we passed my house, my parents were outside watching the parade, and they all had many nice comments about how they enjoyed having my dad as a teacher in high school.  I was very glad to get off of that fire truck at the end of the parade.

After the parade we went back to the bar for lunch.  I learned something new that day....this bar was actually "family friendly" before 10pm.  Children are allowed in and really good food is served.  Now if only it weren't for all the drunk fools around.  Brian and I have often thought of going to get some food there...if only it weren't for the appearance of evil of being seen coming to and going from the bar, not worth it.  Also I must say that the only reason we enjoyed ourselves at lunch that day (besides the good food) was that we sat with our other LDS friends in a corner and enjoyed our non-intoxicated conversations.

We headed home after lunch and crashed for a bit.  We decided to fore-go the football game.  I decided I really did not want to pay $10 for Brian and I to go to the game.  We drove by and checked the score and our team creamed the other.  So we decided we didn't miss too much.

There was a dinner at the Elk's lodge.  We headed out there and we stayed until about midnight.  The party continued until 2 in the morning.  There was a lot more drinking going on and more uninteresting people.  I spent most of my time hanging out with some friends wives' than I did socializing with the people I went to school with. 

I am glad I went just so I could show my face, but my suspicions were confirmed that was going to be a lame experience.  I am so glad that I don't have the lifestyle of getting drunk all the time and not knowing what is coming out of my mouth or not being able to control my actions.  I have never had a drop of alcohol in my life and I am proud of that fact.  I am not even tempted to try it.  I have seen over and over what alcohol can do to people and I am glad that I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. 

Brian and I also had a great conversation that night.  We talked a lot about his life before we met.  Brian made a lot of decisions in his life that he is not proud of and was not living The Word of Wisdom.  We talked about when he quit and what he went through.  This was the first time he had been around so much alcohol since he quit drinking and smoking.  I asked him if he missed it at all or if he was tempted to drink.  He told me that he had no desire to ever go back to that lifestyle.  He said it was worth giving that up because it led him on the path where he met me and because he changed his ways we were able to be married forever.  I am so proud of you Brian and I love you!