20th *gulp* Class Reunion ~ THE Reunion

I actually have a million stories.....but I will start with the pics and promise you future articles.....

SO.....we all met at Orion's Roof at the Oceanfront.

As usual.....to ee the best pics you will have to scroll thru above (sorry!)

I was fortunate enough to attend the same schools in succession after I came to Virginia Beach in 3rd grade.  I started at Louise Luxford Elementary School and I knew many folks in these pictures since that time.  Then I met some in Bettie F. Williams Intermediate School when the districts were redrawn.   Next was Bayside Junior High where even more foks were joined together because Virginia Beach was growing even more.  And finally.... Bayside High School where we graduated in 1987.....so many of these folks.....I knew them from waaaaaaaaaay back.....but had not seen them in 20 years. 

Again.  I apologize for the pixelation but click above for better pics

Here is Tracy (who I met in HS) and Tracy who I have known since 3rd grade!  Both live in town.....and this is the first I have seen of them in 20 years.....go figure.

  I was so excited to see thse folks.  Again Tracy, myself, Beth (who I have known since Intermediate School), and Glenn (from Elementary School)  Tracy and Glenn have been together since Junior HIgh.  I remember what a scandal that became overnight.  It was funny to see how many folks who had given them crap.......no longer together. hee!! 

  Here is Tracy....I would like to say nice things....but I can't.  So I won't.  I believe this is her husband.  he used to be married to my friend Chris....a brilliant artist...who unfortunately...was not there.

Here is my BIG HUGE crush from High School.  Now here is the coolest thing. He graduated before me and just happened to be there.  This is Seth Lamade......siiiiiiiigh.

And you have to know....he is as sweet and kind and nice as he was back then.  And I still can't string two words together.  And....of course...I had something in my teeth.  Stoooopid me!!!   But oh Seth!

 Oh look!  It is Seth again!!!  And someone I don't know....or may not know because I forgot everything. 

Oh look!  Seth again!!  This is how nice he is...didn't mind taking lots of pics with the girl who was always too afraid to talk to him....and who had  something in her teeth...and who stammered everytime he talked to her, then and now.  God, o you think he had any idea???? 

  Nancy was in Chorus.  James was in band with me in Jr High.  He played Baritone..and I played clarinet.  They remembered more about me than I remembered about me......not so sure that is a good thing.  But seeing them surely was a great thing.

 This is Patricia, with whom I was in every kind of club in since Jr High.  She because she is a brain....me because, well, because I didn't want to go home sometimes.  And this is Mr. Cool.  His name is Shawn.  Everyone loves Mr. Cool.  He is a little...hmm.  He is our Gilbert Grape.  But everyone is still gracious to him and he still wants to marry all of us....but only if we love God and go to church. 

  This is Mrs. Smoot.  She is the wife of my lunch buddy.....and I like her quite well.  Excellent choice John.....don't know how you pulled this off....she is awesome!!! hee.

Mikki, Mikki, Mikki......we were always in a battle for First Chair.  And my mom always asked.  Why can't you be like Mikki....Mikki this, Mikki that.  So knowing Mikki was a torment.....and seeing her again was only half as excruitiating.

 John......my lunch buddy.  It was cool to see him....DESPITE THE FACT THAT he destroyed my memory that he was being NICE to walk me and my friend home everyday.  Apparently,  Nice?  Not so much.  Bad John....Bad.

Beth was the best softball player ever.....and she was scary because she could knock your neck loose as well.  But you know what.  But I was so pleased to see her.  She lives in town.....AND she felt no need to beat me down.....BONUS!

 It was beyond good to see Latascha, who I have known since 3rd grade.  Always, always a pleasure.  And she had info on some of the folks who I had missed at the reunion (Lariquez, Vontina, and Valentina)  She had unfortunate news that one of our classmates, Delray had been found dead 2 weeks ago.  I was very sad to hear it.  Delray grew up in my neighborhood.  He had a really bad reputation  But he was never nothing but nice to me....and even helped me out when I was scared.  To know that he was no more among us....very sad for me  On the right is Kevin.  Still the same...minus some hair.  I met him in High School.  I took something called "Superior English"  Now that I think about how they named the courses it makes me cringe.  But mostly the rich kids were in the Superior English kid.  My best friend Pam and I .....well we were the crashers I guess.  We didn't have the family with the money.....Many of those kids were there......but I didn't take their pic.  But Kevin was always, always nice to us.  And he remembered Pam although she wasn't there.  And both of these fine people send their love and best wishes to Pam.

  John (my lunch buddy), Mr. Cool, and me goofing off........as usual.  Something never change.  And as John notice.....I haven't changed.  Which I consider a great compliment.  I spent a lot less time explaining who I am and where I had been and what I was etc and so forth.....

 We just had fun....like always.

 Me, Erik (who I have a whole article story to write about), Shiela (who was my best friend along with Ruby) in 6th and 7th grade, and Jennifer Little who I have known since High School.  I have known Erik since 3rd grade.  Story to follow.

  Us again!

Of all these folks.....I remeber Kim at the far right.  She says hello to Pam....she is very, very, very tall now.  And compared to all my classmates....I mean every single one  I am a smurf.

 John and Renee.  Renee organized the reunion.  She did a great job.  AND she lives in town.  We plan on going out again very soon.

I got accosted by Mr. Cool again.  If I am a good girl and go to church every Sunday and I love Jesus........he will marry me.

BEN!  I have known Ben since 3rd grade as well.  So good to see him......he is grey!!!  But he looks young to me.  He played trumpet in the band.  AND has a beautiful blondie wife who I like very much.

Anne!  I love this girl.  I have known her since Jr. High.  Always a pretty girl.  She was Miss ECSC.  Was a Neptune Princess.  Everything.  But you know what was most beautiful about her now and then.  She is the most genuine and kind person with a big heart.  Always, always said hi to me in the halls......especially when I was too sad to say Hi myself.  Love this girl.

Angie, Jim, Me and Renee.  Angie was the first person to recognize me at the Homecoming game.  That was a nice feeling.  And she was sooo sweet to me.  When I went with Pam (my best friend not pictured in this essay)  we had joked that we would have to do a Devil wears Prada thing where Pam would see someone, I would whisper in her ear who it was and why she knew them.  And while we joked about it this is exactly what happened....but then we saw Angie....and I was stumped.  I know I know her, but I cannot place where exactly it was that I knew her.  I remember her well....but from where........damn Alzheimer's.

So basically I had a really great time.  Some people were the same people they ever were.  For the better or for the worse.  I was pleased to see that some were still around, sad to know I won't be seeing many of them for some time if ever again.  And glad that 'We Are Bayside' still.

Thanks for bearing with my little blast from the past.