20 Year Reunion

I know I'm probably going to regret putting this old pic up... this was almost 20 years ago! Don't you just love the 80s style - the big permed hair, with the blow dried fringe and the ruffles, frills, taffeta and bows.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I loved school. Jalen must get it from me as he cries if he is sick and can't go to school. I loved going - mostly to see my friends of course. All of my reports would say something along the lines of 'Lisa has a good sense of humor and likes to talk'. Although I did talk a lot and had fun at school, I also worked pretty hard and did okay at school.

When we heard that we had a 20 year reunion coming up, the last thing I wanted to do was actually go along to it. Mostly because all the people that I wanted to catch up with are still my good friends and I see them all the time, or am in contact with them often. I wasn't very keen on listening to stories of 'I do this' or 'I did that' and having everyone try to compete to see who had done the best in life over the past 20 years. I think our 10 year reunion put me off as it wasn't great and all I remember was that people hadn't changed much at all and everyone just stood around getting drunk.

Bec had the best excuse to get out of coming to the reunion, so it was just Pip and I who braved it together. We both texted each other to make sure we arrived together as we were so nervous! I actually almost pulled out of going at the last minute as I was dreading it so much. We were greeted with a huge board of old photos from high school. They were so funny to see.

When we walked in we quickly scanned all the faces to see who we recognised so we could go and sit down with them. I straight away saw some old friends who I have seen a bit over the years. It was great to see them - especially Rachelle who came all the way from Melbourne to be there.

It was disappointing that so many people that lived locally didn't come, but they obviously all felt the same as we did and thought they'd give it a miss. It's a pity as it ended up being a pretty good night, and would've been a lot better if more people were there to catch up with. In the end we probably only had a third of our grade show up, but it was really good to catch up with those who came. During the night Cristy (who organised it) made a speech and mentioned all those students and teachers we had that had passed away. It's sad to think that about 5 of us are no longer around.

Some people had changed a LOT. People that were shy and quiet at school were a lot more confident, and others had settled down and grown up a lot. Others hadn't changed at all! All the guys were exactly how I remembered them - just older, bigger and balder :)

I was dreading that it was going to be a night where people compared what job they had, what they owned and where they had been etc. I'm very happy with my life and feel like I have done a lot in my life, but I hate when people try to make themselves feel bigger and better by going on about what they have done. It actually wasn't at all like that which was nice. Everyone was just excited to hear about how many kids you had and if you were married etc. I got the usual reaction of 'FOUR BOYS!' which was funny.

One guy walked in and at first no one had any idea who he was. It turned out to be a guy who left Deloraine High at grade 9 as he moved away with his family. We knew each other quite well in High School so it was so great to catch up with him. It was very strange though as he didn't look a thing like he did in High School and it felt like I was talking to this stranger, but knew it was an old friend, but just couldn't put the two of them together.

When I told him I had been married for almost 14 years he told me you get less time for murder! He was amazed when I said I had four boys. I then told him about Noah and he told me that his wife works with disabled adults so he had some understanding of how demanding it can be. I actually didn't tell anyone else about Noah as often that dominates the conversation and although caring for Noah is a huge part of our life, our life also includes our other three boys, and once you bring up Noah and his condition that is all people think of. I guess I don't always want to be only known as the 'one who has the child with a disability', but would rather be known as just me. You are just never sure of the response you are going to get and you don't want people to feel sorry for you, but you do want them to have empathy. I guess that is why I often pick and choose who and when I tell about Noah.

In the end it was a great night and fun to hear what everyone was up to and how people had changed (or hadn't!). It was unbelievable to think it was 20 years ago that we were all at school together. It makes us sound so old, but being together again it still felt like we were in high school - just with a few more wrinkles, fat rolls and kids :)