It feels like people side with either loving high school or hating it.
Unfortunately I am in the latter camp.
My freshman year was great, but then my family moved and I was transferred to a small private high school that was also attached to my parent's church. It was the type of school where there were only 2 other new kids that year and it felt like everyone already had their friendships built and pre-determined thoughts on who you were and what you were about.
I wasn't the smartest...nor the prettiest..or the most athletic. I was very middle of the road in terms of being anything special. I was outgoing, in general happy, and I was independent. Every day I sat with a group of popular girls but I never felt like one of them. I didn't date any of the guys at school nor did I ever have a crush on them. I attended classes, did decently well without trying, and then left for the day.
When high school ended, so did many of my friendships - some upon graduation day and a few others lost over the following year. I have reconnected with a few, thanks to social media, but in general, that chapter of my life is done and I am not interested in revisiting it. (don't count me in for my high school reunion next year).
Ashlee was one of the few high school friends I reconnected with a few years back with instagram and blogs. Although we hardly talked, I was able to see how she had grown to be such a delightful woman of God through her daily digital endeavors. When she came into town a few months ago, she asked to meet up for drinks, but about an hour before we were set to get together panic struck.
High school?... I hated high school!
Better yet, my most vivid memory of Ashlee was over us getting in a yelling match in our high school hallways over a boy she set me up with... who was not a good guy, and I was clueless to the fact... and our history teacher had to separate us. Girls are crazy, high school girls especially.
I was about 10 minutes early to meet Ashlee and I sat with nervous anxiousness.
I went to the bathroom to check my hair.
I took deep breaths and drank about 5 glasses of water in 2 minutes.
I was an anxious mess.
And then Ashlee walked in and we immediately caught up on the last 9 years of our lives. There was no drama. No pulling of hair. No eyes scratched out. It was pleasant. More than that, it was fun!
If I had the chance to go back and do things differently in high school with friends, teachers, or what not... I wouldn't. I have no regrets. Even when I sometimes find myself sad when I see some of the old group are still friends.
Moments in time define who we are and high school, the good and bad, contributed to the person I am today, a person I happen to really like and proud to say I am.
Thankfully, sometimes life has a way to circle back and allow for us to reconnect.
Perhaps, allow us to better friends than we were ever able to be to each other 10 years ago.
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