20 Years Later

On Friday and Saturday we had reunion functions to attend.  We see so many of our closest friends so often that I don't think our experience mirrors the majority.  For being out of school for 20 years I think we've both done a great job at maintaining many, many wonderful friendships. 

We reserved a 3-bedroom suite at the hotel where the reunion was being held.  One room for us, one for Eddie, and one for Brian & Heather.  Unfortunately, on Friday Heather got very sick and ended up in the ER.  She caught some kind of gastrointestinal virus so they weren't able to attend.  I was really bummed because I was looking forward to having a girlfriend to hang with.  The hotel ended up being really nice.  How can you not love Destin?

Friday night was the "meet and greet" night.  It was just a relaxed evening of poolside drinks.  It was fun watching everyone get caught up.  Kevin and Eddie were notorious for being mistaken for each other over their entire high school career.  Apparently some things never change.  At least 5 people (and maybe more)  called them by the wrong names. 

Saturday night was a little more formal.  It's always fun for us to have an excuse to get dressed up for something.  Because we got to put effort into getting ready, we took advantage and snapped some pictures. 

Had to get one of the twins!

Mike Wild lived behind us when I was growing up and graduated the year before I did.  I haven't seen him since high school.  He has since been doing missionary work and is now living full time in Indonesia with his wife (who graduated with Kevin) and four boys.  I could have talked to him for hours!  He is living amongst a tribe and learned their language which he developed and alphabet for and then taught back to them.  He is now, and will be for the next ten years, translating the bible into their written language.  It was so wonderful seeing him.  Just wish I had more time to hear more about his travels and experience. 

I was pretty surprised at what a good turn out they had. 

These are three girls I knew from the dance team. 

Defeated, Kevin and Eddie finally just switched name tags.  Hilarious!

I don't know who this DJ was but he was insane.  Yes, that's him on the far right.  He spent most of the night going crazy on the dance floor.  The guy on the other side - in the white shirt and next to the girl in the blue dress - is our friend Greg.  He was the life of the party that night.  So much fun to watch!

If I could have gone back all those years and told my 15 year old self that 20 years later I'd be walking downstairs to attend Kevin Branton's 20 year reunion, I might have fallen over and died.  Yet there I was last weekend, on his arm, being introduced as his wife of 14 years. 

Dreams do come true.