When I thought about sharing what I have learned professionally and personally about relationships and high school reunions, I thought about Grandpa’s 40th and the drunk blond who propositioned him right in front of me. I realized that such advice was not limited to those of grandparent age, but apply to any age and any reunion.
So, until this 50th reunion, no matter how boring it may be to attend a high school reunion with your significant other, this Grandma’s best tip was that you must attend. A high school reunion can be a very emotional event for many of the participants. It may be that an attendee wants to go back to a simpler, easier time in life. It may be that an attendee is looking to relive good memories and create memories with someone they admired afar many years ago. Whatever intention may be, the unintended consequence may be the end of your marriage. I have heard too many stories of people coming home from a high school reunion and leaving their spouse for someone in high school. What I find weird is those reconnected or rekindled relationships tend to be successful.
Since this Grandma wants her marriage to remain successful, I am conscious of the “dangerous places,” of which high school reunions remain one of the top on the list. Therefore, I have attended the 30th, the 40th and now Grandpa’s 50th high school reunion.
My best tip has now changed. The attendees have changed. Sixties music played by the D.J. was there again. This time, at the 50th reunion, grandpa and I were the only ones dancing! Everyone thought we were the youngest ones there. Huh!
And that was the biggest point this Grandma took away from attending Grandpa’s 50th high school reunion. You can be a certain age physically, which you cannot change. What you can change is how you consider the meaning of that age. Many of the attendees were old in age and old in dress and old in interests and old in acting.
So, my new best tip on attending a significant others high school reunion? The 40th is still dangerous. By the 50th, let them attend alone. You may stay home with the knowledge that the best is at home, not at the reunion.
Grandpa repeated a saying to me that Paul Newman said about his wife, Joanne Woodward, “Why go out for hamburger when you have steak at home.” This saying, coupled with what I learned attending the 50th reunion, now makes me confident that I can skip Grandpa’s 60th high school reunion with
Joy,
Mema
Commentaires