My husband and I recently attended his 20-year high school reunion. How crazy is that? 20 years! Wow! Has it really been that long since we crossed the stage and graduated from kids to adults? For me and my husband, riding those waves of nostalgia for the 80’s big hair, Jordache jeans, leg warmers, and Flashdance fashion was inevitable. Even more so was trying to remember some of the old classmates he hadn’t seen or spoken to in two decades.

When preparing for this special event, one might find themselves looking forward to catching up with old friends, while hoping to avoid old enemies; wondering if and how other people have changed; who is doing what career; how many people will remember them, etc.  Then again, there are those of us who are not in a huge hurry to go running down memory lane to the hallowed halls of our beloved alma maters.

Regardless of where your excitement level is when it comes to attending your class reunion, what about when it’s your spouse’s? Being the “plus one” on the invite was definitely an interesting experience. For those of you that did not know your partner back in their heyday, I recommend going to their high school reunion if the opportunity presents itself. It allows you a rare glimpse into the “glory days” of their youth.

My husband is from a small town. You know, the kind where everyone knows everyone because their grandmothers knew each other and their parents hung out. They learned to walk at the same time, their families lived next door, across the street, or around the corner from each other. Therefore, going back home for this reunion meant more than just seeing his old classmates. It was also an opportunity to get together with all the childhood friends and families from the neighborhood that were still around or in town.

Attending a small, private, boys-only high school in a small town obviously translates into his graduating class being pretty small, especially compared to mine, which was over 600. I was honestly expecting just a few people, no big deal — almost like a dinner party type of gathering. I was certainly not expecting the over 30 people that attended the Friday night welcome party. Then again, that was most of his graduating class!

From the moment we walked through the door we were bombarded with genuine hugs, kisses, high fives, laughs, stories, smiles, joy, and excitement. I must say that the most wonderful part was seeing every person so excited to see my husband, and hearing so many wonderful and funny stories about him.

It was awesome to see the ear-to-ear smile on his face for three hours straight, even while being asked the same top four reunion questions so many times we lost count: how have you been, do you have any kids, what are you doing now, and have you seen so-and-so. We spent the last twenty minutes saying goodbye and promising to see everyone at the main event the next night.

Saturday night proved to be twice the people, fun, and excitement as Friday. One of my favorite parts was the senior pictures that were printed on each alumnus’s name tag. Some people still looked exactly the same, with an updated hairdo, while others looked totally different than their pictures. After having such a wonderful evening filled with laughter, great food, great memories, 80s music, lots of pictures, and business card exchanges, it was time for us to depart. That was another 15 minutes of hugs and promises to stay in touch.

As we made our way back to Houston Sunday morning, he was still basking in the fun and excitement from the weekend. We were thrilled to have made the trip and gotten to see everyone, and we came home with some great memories and new (and old) friends.

Truthfully, I was really considering skipping my 20-year reunion. But after having such a wonderful time at my husband’s, I am surprisingly looking forward to mine next year. Who’d a thunk it?