Want to step back in time and become a high school teenager again?
All you have to do is get together with a group of your old classmates and let the years melt away. It only takes a few minutes to get reacquainted. Then the 22 years since you last were together all day, every day at school will seem like mere hours.
That’s what happened to me Saturday night as 10 girls from the Gordo High School Class of 1987 got together for dinner in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The event was based on the fact that one of our classmates, Angie Burkhalter, who is a missionary with her husband in Brazil, was home for a brief visit. We all wanted to catch up with her and find out about her exciting life helping the less fortunate and spreading the gospel in the South American country.
I carpooled with my former classmate and now-cousin’s wife, Karen.
I should have been a bit suspicious when she came to the car with a bag. When I asked her what was in it, she told me she thought it would be nice to have cheesecake for dessert, so she had purchased one.
I had no reason to think otherwise, so I said OK. Plus, I do love cheesecake.
When we got to the restaurant, all of our friends were already there, waiting for our tables. I began to hug everyone’s neck and say hello.
It was so great to see all those familiar faces smiling back at me.
They all told me congratulations on getting engaged. I wasn’t sure who all knew, so I said thank you.
As I stood there for about five minutes talking, I began to notice that folks were looking at me a bit funny. Then I looked around where we were standing. My friend, Paige, was holding a balloon, and there were gift bags on the floor.
She had been trying for several minutes to get my attention, but I had been so wrapped up in seeing everyone again that I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings.
Surprise. At that point, I realized they were giving me a bridal shower.
I was so stunned, and everyone got a good laugh because it took me so long to figure it out.
We got to the restaurant about 7 p.m. and didn’t leave until almost 11 p.m.
We just couldn’t stop talking.
Everyone had pictures of their families. I obviously took pictures of me and my fiance, David.
They all agreed that I look happier than they’ve ever seen me, and I have to agree.
I loved all the presents, but the thing I loved most was taking a walk down memory lane with my friends.
Well, the memory we still have left.
We talked about the good times, pranks that we pulled and the times we got into trouble. Luckily, getting into trouble didn’t happen too much for this group. We were pretty good girls.
As I look at our group now, it is amazing what we accomplished coming from such a small town. Among our group that night was a missionary, as stated earlier, a pharmacist, a teacher, a couple of business managers, an accountant, a newspaper editor as well as other professions.
Not too bad for all of us girls from Gordo.
The night was so much fun. It makes me a little sad that we can’t get together more often. One thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older is that good friends are hard to come by, and these girls are the best.
But when we do have opportunities again like Saturday night, I will cherish every moment I get to spend with my classmates and friends.
