May 7, 2007
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Dilemma
I always think that word should be spelled “dilemna.” But, all the spell checks say it is wrong. Anyhow, I’ve digressed before I’ve even begun…
This August 4th is my 20th high school reunion. I skipped the five-year, “Let’s have a keg party in someone’s backyard” and was in California during the 10th reunion. There was no 15th, so I didn’t miss it. Besides being my 17th wedding anniversary, the fourth of August is also part of TGD’s math conference in CA which he’s been anticipating. He already has his tickets, his hotel, etc. He offered to skip part of it, pay to have his ticket changed, etc. but I thought that would be rather unkind of me, especially since two weeks earlier we will just have gotten back from our trip to England. It’s not as if he’ll have been ignoring me! Thus my dilemma. Do I go to my reunion solo? Do I skip Saturday night altogether? (There is to be a Sunday afternoon picnic the next day, but I do not know if the out-of-towners can stay for it or not. Granted, a majority of the class seems to have settled within an hour of our alma mater (myself included), so there aren’t that many traveling far.) Do I take Hunter? (How lame would that be to show up with your 16 year old son as your “date”? HA!)
I bought a dress already, before I realized the conflict. I had time to kill while Hunter and Wit were seeing Spiderman, so I wandered into Dress Barn. The lady there was one of those cheerful, chatty sorts. I said, “Oh, I’m browsing, but maybe I could find something for my 20th reunion.” I found a dress, and the saleslady, who was wandering about, said, “No, that is NOT a dress for a reunion.” (It was rather frumpy, and therefore, more my style!) Just for fun, I tried on the dresses she suggested, and one worked. I bought it and modeled my black, fitted, v-neck and back dress with a kicky hem and chiffon short sleeves. I got raised eyebrows and thumbs-up from the men in the house. I’d show you a picture, but I’m not ready to model it. Perhaps after a week or so on the Calorie King “watch your eating and and exercise” plan. (I just got the books today. Thanks, Emeralds17 for the recommendation!) Or maybe when I’ve gotten more tan. Or maybe when I get more brave. I can wear my new dress in England even if I don’t wear it to the reunion.
But, back to my question, what should I do about Saturday night of the reunion?
Comments (21)
I didn’t go to any of my High School reunions. We moved around and for every year of HS school, I was in a different state, sometimes over-seas. So, I didn’t have any close friendships from HS.
But if you do go, wear the dress!
I have been out of HS, mmmmmm, more than 20 years, but I feel better now than then.
I’d say go if you can!
I’m missing my 20 year reunion this summer. I don’t think there was a 5 year one, I missed the 10 year one (had just gotten married, and we were on the wrong coast), and the 20 yr one is July. Our class is scattered around the world–and one of my best friends is coming all the way from Australia! (that’s what comes of an MK boarding school) I am so upset that I can’t go, but that is life.
Hmmm….that is a dilemma! I went to my 10 year reunion, and it was a blast, even though I hadn’t really stayed in touch with anyone. I imagine that the 20 year one would be similar.
Can’t wait to see pictures of you modeling that new dress!
Um… don’t take a child…. that is a bit, how to say it….. tacky. Make arrangements to go with a friend and leave the kiddos at your Mom’s.
Are you in touch with anyone else from school who might be going, so that you know for sure you will have someone to hang out with?
Otherwise I think taking a 16 year old young man might be a wonderful source of gossip. People will think you are Demi Moore or something! lol.
But seriously taking your kiddlette might be kind of fun.
Dude, I totally fail to sympathize with your dilemma, and can offer no helpful advice. However, I’m sure the deerslayer would charm all the ladies present, though it would be a bit tacky. And I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be doing out their either, but I think it’ll be constructing hiking trails.
Hi! Class reunions are one of those events I would like to attend as a thin, gorgeous blonde person. Don’t think that’s gonna happen….
The only reason I would attend any of my high school reunions is to show off my husband, so if he couldn’t go, I wouldn’t. Good thing you already got that fabulous dress, though. A woman should take all the opportunities she can to buy fabulous outfits!
I think I would reflect on your class and the way you were treated in high school…
If you were popular, go, you won’t be alone. IF you were picked upon, why bother, the people who mattered you still see.
Either way, pay to get a copy of the class address book and GO TO THE PICNIC!
My husband’s class always makes a weekend of it and the picnic part is always the best. People with our values tend to come and the ones who are still into things other than family attend the Friday night tailgate and Saturday mixer.
Hmmmm I guess it depends on how important it is to you to see these people. I didn’t go to my 10th. I did see pictures and the same old snobby cliques hung out. I didn’t miss much. This year is my 15th, but I’ve heard nothing about a reunion. High School for me was ok, but I don’t have any lifelong friends from it. If there’s a part of you that REALLY wants to go, then go because you don’t want to regret not going later.
I completely sympathize with your dilemma, but please do not take The Hunter as your date. Not only would it be in the words of other, tacky, but high school reunion are not exactly kid friendly (plus wouldn’t he get bored). However, do you go alone? I tend to agree with Rhonwyyn, the only reason I would go to my high school reunion is to show off my husband (stay at home mom are not appreciated where I grew up, I’m not exactly “successful” in my alum’s eye’s), so I probably won’t go. With that being said, you are way more confident in yourself than I am, so I’m sure you would be fine. Okay bottom line, if you want to go, go alone, wear your FABULOS dress and have a good time!
I recall going to my last reunion without out my husband. In fact, I believe you watch our children for us. I am okay with fishing being more important than me. I will probably go to mine this year alone too. I just show them the family picture, if they ask, and swear to them that I didn’t cut it out of a magazine and super-impose myself into it. hahaha!
Have you ever tried his Jeeves & Wooster series? That’s the only thing I’ve read by him, and it is quite good. Actually, I first got into them by watching the BBC production of Jeeves & Wooster, which is even better.
I’d say go! Wear your dress! Be gorgeous! Enjoy it!
But I must also say I don’t really understand your dilemma… you are a lovely and interesting person, and I’m sure you will find it easy to make conversation with people there, husband or no husband. I often go to events solo. Maybe I’m weird. Someone did tell me once that I was ‘brave’ to go to a formal dinner without a date, but hey, there were plenty of friendly and interesting people around and the conversation was lively and enjoyable. I had a great time. I’m sure you will too.
Amazing that most of your graduating class was with you the whole way through- wow, what a community that could foster! (I think I had gone to 7 different schools in 3 states by the time I graduated.
Conducive to having lots of friends in different places, but not really conducive to stability!) Anyway, I hope you enjoy the reunion – do let us know how it goes!
Go. Don’t take Hunter. Have fun.
I haven’t gone to any of my reunions either. My 20th would have been last year. We actually were in town up to the day before it was being held, but we couldn’t stay because of Mike preaching. I’d love to see some of the kids I graduated with & see what has happened to them. I only really keep in contact with one girl (who I’ve known since Kindergarten), I only hear rumors of some others. I hope you do go & have a good time. Be sure to have pictures of you hubby & kids so you don’t look like you’ve not succeeded! Plus to help keep guys away who are looking for a “real” good time.
Oh, and the dress? Wear it around the house so you get used to it. Wear it in England where no one knows you! haha You’ll get comfortable in it soon enough.
If I had a body like yours…….. never mind. Go, and have fun and forget about what you look like!! Take your son…. you’ll have a blast!! (If you wear the dress, you may need the protection of your son!!! ;P)
I see nothing wrong with taking Hunter, it might be especially interesting for him to see you as a “classmate” instead of a mom, especially since he doesn’t go to public school. Whatever you do, I hope you go. I went to my 20th, and I basically hated school, but loved seeing everybody together again. It made me feel instantly “young”.
My sister made a “They’ll all be sorry…” dress to wear to one of her reunions, a black off the shoulder sheath. I think you should wear the dress. I don’t know how I missed this post before this.