February 16, 2010
As the reunion approaches, we are not only trying to answer the question of whether we will go but should we bring our spouse or significant other to the class reunion? A few of our classmates have married their “high school sweethearts” – that makes it so much easier doesn’t it? The rest of us found love down the road of life after high school: some at university, some at work, and others through various social settings. This is where we find ourselves as we face this difficult decision. Having “grown up” in different social circles, do we subject our loved one to the very possible reality of being bored to death while we cavort down memory lane with those we “sort of” remember through a two drink minimum?
In reading the blog Marital Musings by Paula Holt http://maritalmusings.typepad.com/, she poses the following quizette:
If Spouse X went to the high school and Spouse Y did not, does X + Y at the high school reunion =
a. A great time for X and Y
b. A great time for X while Y stands around being the adoring spouse
c. A great time for X until Y ruins it by wanting to go home early
d. Trick question – Y should not attend the reunion in the first place
Isn’t this exactly what we are trying to figure out??? Paula hit the nail right on the head with this test.
Is it the fear of possibly making a fool of oneself when we spy our high school love [more on that in a later blog post!]. Is it that we’ll get caught up in some really good memories and the comradeship takes over the spousal agreement to “NOT LEAVE ME ALONE”? Or does it have more to do with the fact that we are over 40 and sometimes being in bed by 9:30 pm has more allure than being up past 11 pm?
I think for most of us, we understand our spouse well enough to know how they will do in social settings. Its stressful, I will admit. My wife does great in social settings though – very much the Southern social butterfly. But that doesn’t mean she would have the time of her life as I relived old glories with football, baseball, or track buddies. I mean, I was great but doesn’t she already know all of my old war stories? 
I found a small primer on questions to ask of total strangers at my loved one’s reunion…or something like that. I found it at http://biblicalspirituality.org
How did you meet your spouse?
What are your kids like?
What do you like best about your job?
What do you like best about the place where you live?
Do you have a good church?
How have you changed (other than appearance-ha) since graduation?
What’s been the biggest tragedy in your life since our school years?
How is your life different now than you thought it would be at this point?
Would you go back to our school years if you could?
If you could change one thing about the years since graduation, what would it be?
BONUS QUESTIONS
What’s your favorite school memory?
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
What’s your favorite sports memory from school?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
What was the funniest moment during our school years?
What’s been the most influential book in your life since graduation?
I know some of these questions would take a bit of courage to ask but these are the ones I will have scribbled on my hand so I have something to talk about!
I strongly encourage spouses to go. The 25th year reunion is such a huge milestone. I haven’t attended one in 20 years and I have a very strong feeling that I have to attend this one. I might not have the chance to make the 30th and I hope I’m alive to go to our 50th! It would be a shame to not spend three to four hours in our lives to meet up with our old friends. Know what I mean? If you’re in town, the barrier is lower than those of us who might have to travel by plane. And think of this as a big formal, a second or third prom, a chance to dress up! You can always leave early – besides, it will provide you gossip fodder with your friends the weekend after!
Please come to this incredible celebration – I promise you won’t regret it.
Regards,
Bobby Arellano
bobby@coronareunion.org
