Go Big Blue- but wait for me!

I am very bummed that Miles' surgery is falling on July 25th. Aside from the catastrophic event of having my child undergo open-heart surgery, I will be missing my 10 Year High School reunion. While I sweat things out in C'ville, part of my heart will be in Hopewell with my many beloved friends as they relive years of adventures over the cash bar at Dockside Restaurant. Guys, we really should have held it at Waffle House or Denny's- to be true to form! For starters, I loved high school. Honest, I loved high school way more than college. Better people, better music, better parties! In fact, of the 6 people I keep in contact from W&M, 3 of the 6 also came from Hopewell. Go figure.

The class of '98 from Hopewell High School was a rare breed. We were wild, sarcastic, hilarious, rowdy, combative at times (me included), quite intelligent, loyal, and fiercely proud of our town. Heaven forbid is you attended Thomas Dale (the true enemy), Colonial Heights (the snobs), or Prince George (our frenemy). Now, when I write that I miss high school I do so with rose colored contacts shoved into my eyes because 10 years back I couldn't wait to blow that pop stand. And it's true, you can never really go back home- since you change, the town changes, and the pieces never quite realign as before. I have a bit of a Twilight Zone tingle when I drive past ol' HHS- especially since I almost took a teaching position there 2 years ago. But missing the reunion means missing my friends I haven't seen in years- some even 10 years have passed. Man, I was really looking forward to retelling some of triumphs, escapades, heartbreaks, and catching up with some of the greatest people I have ever met. I stink at keeping in touch with people, but I want all the '98ers to know that I think of them often. All my girls from the tennis and soccer teams, my friends who date back the elementary school and even daycare (Hi, Wesley), my lifelong friends how have reached out to me lately- I mean, folks I haven't hung out with in years are sending their love and support to my family. They already love Miles, and they haven't met him. So on the night of July 26th, I need the following stories retold in my absence:

1. The leadership conference in Va Beach- Monkey, that teacher in her teddy, where I wore the balloons on the ride home, saving Angela's lip smackers from the hotel roof. . .

2. The senior trip- esp. the possessed pinball machine and the 20 hours on the bus

3. Mr. Fitch getting Flo-Be haircuts

4. Mr. Mac and his cats

5. The time Jennifer tried to convince Kristin Royster and me to steal the soccer bus at the Varina game

6. Every time we told our parents we were going bowling (Hi Mom and Dad!)

7. Riding around listening to Wu-Tang- every weekend

8. 80's day at tennis practice

9. "Go Netta"- Jennifer, that is especially for you!

10. senior year breakfast club- best reason to have study hall

11. Our last day school, when we ditched classes, and I got stuck in the display case on the Voc/Tech hallway, and we took pictures in Mr. Denzler's Jeep and in the back of Coach Henderson's truck

12. Oh- our awesome ice cream lady who made the homemade peanut butter sauce

13. When we all caught pageant fever- 11th grade

14. Mrs. Bell's class- and how the drug search dogs would always poop outside of her door

15. Going to visit Mr. Whip after hanging out at Klingman's house

16. Any every whack experience from Cater Woodson- especially our Earth Science teacher showing us "The Ring of Fire" 27 times and her inability to say "nickles" without sounding like a body part

17. Mr. Jones as the over-enthusiastic soccer coach and Coach K as the coach who wanted me dead

18. While driving Stuart to school one morning, I saw a UFO over the James River. He didn't see it so he can't vouch for me- but it's true!!

And on, and on- if you were there in '98, post your memories below!! I am craving nostalgia; I am jonesin' for a HHS flashback!

Aside from this never-ending list of highlights (ESPN 4 eat your heart out), I have billions of memories that happened on a much smaller scale, but will remain with me forever. I love you all, and you have no idea how sad I am to be missing our reunion. I hope we can have another get-together before we reach our 25th anniversary.