It’s amazing how things change, or don’t change, over 30-years. It’s funny how you cannot see some people for three decades and then when you do see them, it’s like you parted ways yesterday.
This past weekend was Scott’s 30-year class reunion. Before we go any farther, I should tell you that Scott was born and raised in Hawaii. The summer of 1979 brought the Brainards back to Ontario, Oregon. “Why?”, most people ask. Because the area of Ontario and Payette, Idaho is rich in Brainard history. Some day I will share some of this history with you.
But I tell you this because it’s important to know that Scott only went to high school in Ontario for two years. The majority of his graduating class had gone together since preschool. It’s also important to know that Scott left immediately after graduating to attend college and never went back, except for the occasional holiday family gathering. This bit of history means that Scott formed friendships with few of his classmates, and (thanks to Facebook) and remained in contact with them over the years.
We drove over on Friday. Friday night’s gathering was a casual get-together at the local Armory. Ontario has a beautiful new Armory. It’s the perfect place to hold an event and the girls who planned the event did a wonderful job decorating the room with school colors. Friday night was a little awkward for everyone trying to figure out who everyone else was. They gave each of the alumni a lanyard with their senior picture and name on it. The guests received a different type of nametag, which was perfect to immediately be able to tell who was alumni and who was a guest.
After getting back to our room on Friday night, we practiced different “lines” to use to break the ice. You could simply walk up to someone and say “you look so familiar, but I just can’t remember your name.” or “didn’t we have English class together?” The ideas were endless.
Saturday morning the class was invited to take a tour of the high school and then participate in family style games.
Terri, Scott, Yen, and Colleen were so happy to be back in their old FFA classroom. They were quick to point out that the computers weren’t there when they were students.
Again, the girls that coordinated this whole event did an amazing job! It was easy to tell that they had put a lot of time and thought into this. The games in the gym were a great way for everyone to get over the nervousness of reconnecting.
You might have wondered what these people are trying to do?
Again, these games where designed to get to know your classmates again.
It worked! By the end of the afternoon, everyone was having fun and laughing with each other.
Saturday night was the semi-formal dinner, again at the Armory. There was a formal photographer, and we took advantage of getting our picture taken. I will have to wait to share that with you. Remember I told you that we practiced ice-breaker lines. When we walked up to get in line for dinner, I could tell that Scott was getting ready to use one. We got in line and the guy behind him said “You look so familiar, but I can’t remember your name”. Scott then turned to him and said “Didn’t you date your cousin when we were in high school?” What, where did that come from?!?! I am still laughing as I type this. We will have to keep practicing!
We had such a great time. We took our time getting home today, stopping a few times along the way. At one point on the way home, we passed a large amount of bicycle riders. They had obviously been riding for a while because they were spread out for several miles. We would pass a few at a time. They looked pretty competitive. Then we approached a larger group of 10-12 who didn’t seem to be riding so fast or focused. As we passed them going 60 miles an hour, we noticed that they were naked. Did I forget to mention that it was 92 degrees outside today. These people were riding their bikes naked in hot, hot weather. How is that not uncomfortable??? At this point we got the camera out, but unfortunately did not find anymore that were naked. Odds of seeing that again are probably one in a million.
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