Reunited and It Feels So Good

Amanda Lauer explains why she doesn't ever want to miss her class reunions.

It’s class reunion season, and I’m a faithful attendee. I liken class reunions to wedding or baby showers. If people are willing to put in all the work to throw them, and I’m invited, the least I can do is attend.  

Reconnecting with Childhood Friends 

Because of my dad’s job relocations, I went to three high schools. My second high school is in another state, so I haven’t been invited to any of their reunions, but for the high school I attended my freshman year, and for the high school that I graduated from, I attend both reunions, which means two get-togethers every five years.   

I lived in the city where I first went to high school for 12 years, so I know more members of that graduating class, including the 35 students with whom I graduated from our Catholic grade school, than I do from the other two schools combined.   

In June, I had the pleasure of attending our 45th high school class reunion for that first high school. My husband and I made the two-hour trek up north and spent the afternoon with my best childhood friend and her husband, before heading out as a group to the local bowling alley for the party.  

There were fewer than 100 people there, but we had a fantastic time. There was socializing, reminiscing, a buffet dinner, and a live band. A group of us spent most of the night on the dance floor, boogieing to songs from our high school years and beyond.  

A Fun Way to Get Reacquainted 

It was so fun catching up with everyone. I had heartfelt conversations with friends from my grade school and classmates from high school that I didn’t necessarily know well back then, but know a lot better now. It was nice hearing how life has treated everyone.    

The interesting thing for me is that this trip confirmed what a great group of people I went to school with. We all remember the angst of middle school and high school. I don’t know that any one of us was at our best during those turbulent years, but we all turned out well. The reunion was a time of laughter, support, hugging, and, for me in particular, healing. I was able to experience closure and forgiveness on a situation from my middle-school years. 

It was an event I’ll remember for a long time. That night, I recalled the theme song for our 8th-grade graduation, “Times of Your Life” by Paul Anka. He puts the emotions I experienced at the reunion and in the weeks since into better words than I can.  

Do you have a class reunion coming up soon?

Are you planning to attend? If not, you may want to consider going. We’ve all grown a lot since our high-school years. Maybe it’s time to create some new memories with your former classmates!  

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Copyright 2025 Amanda Lauer
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