We arrived back home from our Disneyland vacation this afternoon (Sunday), and I spent a lot of time in the car just thinking. You see, besides going to Disneyland, I went to my high school reunion and managed to squeeze in visits with old friends from my grade school and college years.
It’s been 20 years since I had seen most of my high school buddies. And it’s been 25 years since I last saw my best friend from grade school. I hadn’t seen my college friend since my wedding day, 14 years ago. A lot of time has passed, and a lot of things have changed.
Revisiting old friends and old memories reminded me of how content I am with my life today. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed high school. I was fortunate to side-step a lot of pitfalls, such as drinking and drugs, that threaten kids on high school campuses these days. I was a responsible kid. And even though I’m still responsible, I’m a different person today.
I’m a lot more confident, which I suppose comes from having more life experience. And I think that confidence is what allows me to live my frugal life. Sometimes there’s a lot of pressure, trying to be a one income family in a two income world. It’s not necessarily direct pressure. I certainly don’t feel judged by our two income household friends.
But it takes conviction to say no to a night at the movies, because it’s not in the budget. It takes conviction to say no to buying a house for years, while the world tells you buying is the right move to make. And it takes conviction to drive the wheels off your paid for car, instead of upgrading to a newer model. It takes conviction to explain to your children why we spend our money the way we do, rather than running up credit card bills, so they can have everything they want. And it’s a conviction I didn’t have 20 years ago.
Yes, it was fun to look back. It was fun to remember goofing off in the back of calculus class. It was fun to remember sneaking into the movie theater on Friday nights. I had a good laugh, when I was reminded of my high school nickname.
But despite all the good memories, I have no desire to relive my high school days. Then I had no idea who I was, where I was going, or what I stood for. Now that I know what’s important in life…God and my family being at the top of the list…I’m content. And you couldn’t pay me enough to give that up.
So, would you be willing to go back and relive your high school days? Or have you changed as much as I have?
And for those of you looking for the details on my Disneyland trip, I’ll be posting about that later this week…probably Wednesday. I just need a couple of days to recover, before I lay it all out for you.
Photo by The Pink Princess.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I absolutely would not go back to my high school years. It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work to get to this point in my life, and, like you, I am content. I have changed and grown quite a lot, and that experience is priceless. You really nailed it.
Looking back is fun, but I always think the best is yet to come . . .
I like to think that the best things in life are here and now :)
Nope – HS was great, fun, and a blast – but no thanks. Wouldn’t want to relive it – the memories are in my scrapbook, and that’s good enough for me :)
Good Lord, I would NEVER want to go back – I hear some people say high school was the best time of their life and I feel so sorry for them. I’m with DDFD – the best IS yet to come. With growth and wisdom comes sheer contentment anmd security in who we are – why would anyone want to give that up? Loved this post, Lynnae – but now seriously – what WAS your high school nickname????
A BIG NO THANK YOU!! I have been out of school since 1984….so this is my 25th year of freedom. No reunion was scheduled for us this summer and I guess I have mixed emotions about it.
I’m from Florida too…But now I live in Indiana…
So…I haven’t seen anyone from school in a gazillion years. I would like to see my old friends. Just to see how life’s been for them.
Facebook has been tons of fun reconnecting with many.
I feel similar to you. I’m so glad for who I am now and what I know now. I love my life…and family. High school doesn’t define you.
No looking back for me either. I was a completely different person then.
Welcome back home. Sounds like you had a nice trip.
Yes, it would be nice to hear about your vacation – but I’m more curious about the high school nickname!
I can’t imagine reliving high school. While I like seeing my high school friends now, I was very unhappy in high school. I don’t think I could return to all of that. Let alone the giving up of my autonomy.
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I will happily pass on any “Peggy Sue Got Married” experiences. I actually disliked high school. I felt like I was just marking time. It was a small school and most of my graduating class had started 1st grade together. We knew each other far too well by graduation.
College was great and life after college even better. I did however really enjoy my 20th reunion. It was amazing to see how much so many people had changed and a bit disturbing to see the ones who hadn’t changed a bit.