Where did five years go? (Part I)

Tomorrow I am departing on a pilgrimage to my alma mater for my five year reunion. It will truly be an epic journey, involving a plane flight and several hours in my parents' car to reach my destination.

I have long imagined what this weekend will be like. For one thing, it's the last reunion where it will be ok to attend without a significant other. I have a feeling at the ten year, if you aren't married or at least dating someone you will be a social pariah. But there are many classmates of mine who are married, some even with children (a special note went out about day care arrangements ... shudder). I speculated with my friend and classmate, M, as to how many marriages will break up after this weekend when one spouse realizes that the other spouse has not changed since college. One can only hope that their wedding reception did not serve Natty Light ... in plastic cups ... on a pong table.

But in all seriousness I'm very excited to return to the scene of my past shenanigans, escapades and adventures. Fortunately the number of attendees who I would prefer to avoid is at a minimum and no ex-boyfriends will be present.

On another somewhat related note, I just received a call from my best childhood friend, with whom I haven't spoken in months. That's the way we are though -- we can go for almost six months without contact and then talk for an hour and a half and it's like nothing is different. I think I last heard from her around Valentine's Day, maybe more recently. Doesn't matter. But in line with the reunion theme of catching up with old friends, the timing of her call could not have been more appropriate. In Girl Scouts we used to sing this lame song about making new friends and keeping the old because "one is silver and the other is gold." I never sorted out which was which (presumably the old friends were gold? This song must have pre-dated platinum. I would rather be platinum, or at the very least, white gold) but it comes to mind tonight although our lives have diverged and criss-crossed we still really are the best of friends.

I've known this girl since I was eight years old ... we traveled Europe for together for three weeks, buy each other stupid presents that have meaning only to us, meet on occasion at our old diner and eat grilled cheese sandwiches and laugh until we can't breathe. What amazes me most is that she knows everything about me, has for years, is essentially a depository of the last two decades of secrets ... and she is still willing to be my friend. I'm even luckier because I have several other friendships that can be described in the very same way. (Shout out, S!!!)

Just a reminder that you need to hold on to those who have known you longest ... not to the exclusion of new friends, but just don't let go of what you have. Maybe this weekend I'll reclaim a couple people who I misplaced along the way.

Sorry to leave with a cliffhanger ending, but Part II will follow on Monday or Tuesday....