We're so fine, We're so Great, We're the class of '88!

*This message is made possible by Leigh's new pair of Spanks. Suck it up, and suck it in! Suck in your worries with spanks!.......*

Today is the day. It's here. My 20th year high school reunion. Can you believe it has been 20 years since Bon Jovi was my most worn out cassette in my tape deck, since huge belts were the rage. Since The Breakfast Club and 16 Candles were hits. Remember bicycle shorts as a fashion statement? Oh! Let us forget. Spandex that tight should never return, except in the form of spanks under garments. It really does seem like yesterday, but in the same breathe it seems like forever ago.
When I found out my class had planned the 20th reunion, I have to be honest and say that I didn't plan to go. There is really no good reason, why I didn't. I guess I can attribute it to anxiety associated with attending a reunion. All kinds of thoughts went through my head. Will there be anyone there I know? What if nobody remembers me? What if I don't recognize classmates or remember their names? What if I run into the old friend that one day decided she didn't like me anymore? I've put on weight. The greys peek through my temples these days like runway lights. I'm not that successful in a career sense. Aside from my domestic empire, I am and have never been CEO, heck, I am not even a paid employee of my empire (mental note to talk to the CFO). But then, I take a deep breathe and say, "Relax! Leigh!"
My friend TerriRay, and many of you blog readers have been so wonderful showing your support. Big Daddy, Fred-E, Princess Z and Kristie I speak to you when I say thank you for going and "holding my hand". I finally came to the realization that I am not alone in these thoughts. Everyone else is probably having the same exact thoughts and reunion jitters. Or at least I think they are. It would be a shame if I allowed these thoughts to get in the way of me attending. We have all changed. And I think for (almost) all of us, it has been for the better. We have grown into mature (not speaking on behalf of my brother in law, smile) contributing people. I am not 17 anymore. You all saw right through that on Monday, when I attempted roller skating at 38. By back side still bares the bruises. But no one at the reunion will be 17 (except in theri own mind through the possible help of some great surgical procedures, starvation and hair color. That remains to be seen. And I AM curious). The laws of gravity and time catch up with all of us eventually. It's a fact of life.
I have always been one to be my own worse critic. I had hoped that with age, it would improve. And it has, but I still second guess myself (despite my husband and friend Freddy's wonderful encouragement not to). As an adult, it is still a struggle but with each day and ripening of age it does get easier to accept myself for me. "Be yourself." As God intended. I am one to celebrate life's changes.
And so it is, I will relax. I will go and I will have a good time.This is an opportunity to go out and have some fun. Most of my classmates I haven't seen in twenty years, at the very least 10. I am going to go and renew old friendships, catch up with each others lives, and celebrate our youth and feel young again (if only for a moment). I cannot wait to go and to reminisce about the good old days, to share time with old friends while we are still able to, and to celebrate our changes in life. I have come to the realization that people are not there to judge me but are there for the same reason I am--- to have a great time and touch their past. Touch our past. As we age, those memories become more fonder. We tend to appreciate them a little more. I have often touted it, and I need to remind myself to go with an attitude of having fun.
As the day has approached I have been in contact with more people than I ever have from school and it has been so fun chatting and planning with one another. Oh, my gosh, dare I expose the dork that I am and say, it is almost like a "Footloose Moment". The planning and coordinating of a grand affair with classmates. Tomorrow, I am going to party like it's 1988 (remember when 1999 seemed forever away.)! Wish me luck.

And pray for my spanks, they will be working overtime tonight.

Thanks to you all for your encouragement. You know I will be reporting it all on Monday!
Have a great weekend!