Wait. When Did We Grow Up?!

On Saturday, June 18th, I celebrated with old high school classmates for our 10 year high school reunion. This blog will be really for those that were there, but for you random readers as well!

I must say, this reunion has engulfed a big amount of time out of my life for the last 6 months. The thought process for it began over 18 months ago, but the last 6 were time-consuming.  In those months I've been home more than I normally am and have reconnected with folks that I never imagined possible. 

The planning was intense, yet fun...and mostly nerve wrecking as we got closer. My crew included Amanda Brumfield, who offered help and was there from the get go, LAST YEAR. I thank you so much for the time and effort you put into it all. Thank you to her husband, Jason, for letting me have her haha. Also, Meg Caton. I totally wrote Gracey, but I figured I'd not mess that up. Thank you!  Thanks to Tisheika Warner for your insight, help, hook up, and your ability to calm me down better than anyone.  Thanks to the Stephanies for their OCD-ness, Katie Rowe, and Brian Soper for handling the booze situation. 

Oh, and Stephanie Lamonaca; I just remembered that this is all your fault! The whole class presidency thing was you and Bobby McCauley's idea in FRENCH class 12 years ago. So, thank you.

Saturday was A DAY, people! I enjoyed the rush of everything and even the heat of it all...the anticipation...I just wanted everyone to have a GREAT time. That's been Randi forever! I didn't really care about myself, just needed you to have a blast. The one thing that was going to prevent me from having a great time was the fact there was no DJ. Yeah, I am one, but that's not cool lol The DJ situation hurt me personally, not just because of the event, but because it represented the end of a personal relationship. 

The whole day felt like I was back in high school, even including the outfit situation. My dear mother wasn't happy with the clothing I brought home with me and put together and outfit and purchased it; even though I didn't like it.  One thing I've learned in 10 years is to pick my battles with her. I won't win. haha

As I was headed to the vineyard, my nerves started to hit. There's so much that's gone on in 10 years that most of you couldn't imagine and it was all coming to a head in a 20 minute drive.  I wondered would people like what was done, would they be happy, would they think it was worth it?! Would I enter to smiles, or just looks of disgust?  Yeah, I was tripping.

When I saw the faces of people; most of whom I've known since elementary school, my smile grew. I found the bit of happiness from my memories that I had forgotten. Seriously.

I loved seeing everyone talk with each other. I have to be honest, going over the list earlier in the week, I was confused as to how everyone would react to each other and if people would stay in cliques. I was happy to see that wasn't the case.  I KNEW I had remembered classmates to be friendly with each other no matter what.  Maybe that's why I kept referring to the reunion as a "Family Reunion."

I must apologize if I didn't get to have valuable conversation with everyone. I hate that I didn't. If I didn't even get to say "hi," I'm SOOOO SORRY.

The intention from the beginning was to essentially have a really nice hang out and dinner and have everyone meet up at the bar of our choosing for the "after party." I HOPED it would work out. 

The moment when I decided to stand on a chair and lead a toast with the whole crowd was tough and not because I'm afraid of heights. In the last 10 years, I've gotten over fears, I've become more outgoing and in some localities a "public figure." I've stood in front of crowds of 10s of THOUSANDS without a hit of nervousness. However, standing on that metal chair over the 70/80 plus of you, made me want to pee my pants. Miss Johnny on the Spot, couldn't think of the words she wanted to say to save her life. You all are just so amazing in your own way. I can't explain the amount of respect I have for everyone and then add on all the love and respect you gave me...yeah, I got a tad bit a emotional...and reverted back to Randi from back in the day.  Amazing. In one day, I went from loud, awesome "RANDI WHITE," to the real me! Loved it.

Besides one minor hiccup with a whole cake being tossed and the lady from the vineyard tripping...everything went very well.  I was pleasantly surprised to see just about EVERYONE from the reunion show up at the dock bar at Brew River.  The whole group SHUT Brew DOWN. Love it! Everyone was looking good and feeling good and you can't ask for much more than that.

This was going to go somewhere, but I got too corny, so I must stop lol!! Thanks for the greatness and you know what, let's not wait another 10 or 5 years...let's get together as much as we can...THOUGH, NOT WITH ALL THAT PLANNING INVOLVED lol That was our 1. haha

Wi-Hi's class of 2001 remains the finest class to walk through the doors of that school and we know that no other school could touch us. Oh and speaking of FINE. Ladies...how absolutely gorgeous are the guys we graduated with!?

Here's to you all!