Should I go to my 25th High School Class Reunion?

Ok, the last time this topic was discussed, it was 2005, so help me out here.

My 25th high school class reunion is July of this year. I haven't been to any previous reunions. I live 800 miles from the reunion site, and it's in a very small town in the midwest, hard as hell to get there.

(Can't drive - not enough time. Flying is the only option, but fairly expensive and hard to schedule.)


The major problem I have is that I will have to miss one day of school, and there are very few absences allowed. I haven't missed a day so far, and would prefer not to.


On the one hand, I look good for my age, and since I was popular in school, it should be fun.

But I haven't accomplished anything to be too proud of, and have nothing to rub in anyone's face.


(I haven't lost hundreds of pounds, had my teeth re-done, had cosmetic surgery or become a celebrity. I am, in fact, poor financially.)


I always told myself I'd go to this one.

Should I?

brokenfingers said:

Hmmmmm... that's a tough one.

Can you rent a helicopter to land in?

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No. Absolutely not.

Interesting.

Still, I'd like to hear a few other's opinions.

brokenfingers said:

Hmmm oh yeah - forgot about the fear of flying.

Well, howzabout if you hire some guys to attend with you - all wearing black suits and sunglasses and earpieces and slight bulges in their side under their jackets who'll stand at strategic points of the reuinion and whenever anyone asks you any questions you don't like, they come over and act menacingly and whoosh you away?

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You have a great memory, about the fear of flying, that is.

I overcame it. I bought some CD's and overcame my fears.

I just went to Vegas on springbreak - nothing to it. Flew to Europe last year.

TsukiRyoko said:

Eh, don't go. 1. you're busy, 2. no mullah, 3. why bother going to one now when you've never had any interest in going before? Even if you did make the promise to yourself a while back, just let it go. Chances are, it'll blow anyway.

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I had interest in going, but the last big one - which was number 20 - I was in the middle of a real estate closing and our money was tied up, too, and I just skipped it.


It probably will blow, though. Good point.

brokenfingers said:

In all honesty, if you don't think you can afford it, I'd say don't go - unless there are some great friends who'll be there who you dearly miss and would like to reconnect with (I'm guessing this will be one of the last opportunities to do so.)

Otherwise, I'm guessing you'll wake up the next day thinking: Why the hell did I do that?

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Good advice. Thanks.

Chumplet said:

I went to my 25th and had a fabulous time. The venue sucked, my job was so-so, I hadn't even thought of writing yet, but I ran into all kinds of people who remembered me quite fondly.

The keyboardist for Glass Tiger and the drummer for Bare Naked Ladies were there, and I met both of them. They both remembered my brother, who taught guitar.

Are you unable to drive, or do you think it's too far? To me, 80 miles is nuthin', and you can always leave early and return home in the wee hours. Sober, of course.

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Chumplet, that's 800 miles, not 80. I'd definitely go if it were only 80!

800 miles is a looong drive. Not even a hard days drive, but more than that. 600 miles is all I'll ever push myself to drive in a day, and that's really long.

I don't think anyone in my class is famous. One guy was drafted for a professional football team, but didn't last one season, and never played.
When I worked in a Vegas casino, I had two schoolmates (separately) show up to meet me, but I only saw one. I also had another guy (the football player and yes, he had a huge neck,) come visit me in Vegas, too.

I kept in touch with a few of my best girlfriends for several years, and went back for a visit once since I graduated. (My family moved when I graduated.)


I'm sure most of the people are very nice, as I was the meanest girl in school. (Not completely true.)


It's not about money or desire to go, it's about my schedule with school. That's what makes it tough to decide.

I've decided not to go.

I have school on the 12th - until late. Then, I may or may not be off on the 13th, my instructor isn't sure yet. So, that leaves the day of the reunion and the next day to get there and return home. I definitely have school 16th.

When my husband and kids go with me there, I at least need the time to show them where I grew up, and there some other people I'd want to see.

If there's no time, it's not worth it.

It sucks, but it's the reality I put myself in when I entered school. I can't miss school, or I could be dropped.


So, even though it's depressing, I'm not going.