Ready to Learn Mom

I am not sure why I was actually dreading the event.   Yes, I have gained weight since I graduated from High School 25 years ago…whatever! I wasn’t the only one!  I was excited that it was to be an outside picnic with our families invited.  I was always a late bloomer, so it did not seem to surprise many that my kids were 5 and 7 along with a handful of others who had children later in life, but I was overwhelmed by the number of high school classmates who had kids right out of high school and were already grandparents!

My entire family had fun, even my husband.  My kids found a group of older and younger kids and were entertained the entire time.   My husband heard stories that he had never heard and met many new and old faces.  I am so glad I introduced my husband to my first boyfriend and was amazed at how alike they really were: both into hunting, fishing and watching football.  They even made a date to go fishing on Lake Michigan together.  I was happy he married an old school friend of mine so that we could get together while our husbands go fishing.  And we all laughed when we found out that their daughter lived near us and was dating my husband’s cousin!   Fate?

I tried to talk to everyone and was shocked at how many different career paths:  three owners of manufacturing companies, a state patrol sergeant, several plumbers, a nursing home director, several restaurant owners, patent owners and publishers, a few in real estate, banking, entertainment and employees for the airlines.  Since I am always networking this day was no different.  So a promise was made to keep in touch with a handful solely for business purposes.

Many people gained weight.  Two had lost too much weight and looked very sick, pale and washed out.  A few had lost their hair, many wore white and gray proudly.  I did not recognize a few people and would never have done so until they were pointed out to me.  But the majority of people looked very much like the day we all graduated.

Here is what I would recommend to those of you that have the big day looming in the distance.

Remind yourself to put on a big smile and set out to enjoy the event.  It’s just one moment in time.  And sadly it went way too fast!

So if you are trying to lose weight before your big day, make sure you are truly doing it to please yourself, because if you are not, you probably will not stick to it.

If you are using this day as a day to motivate you to get in shape, great!  Make sure you set a realistic and safe goal of a few pounds a week and make exercise and eating right part of your daily plan.

And even if you do not lose the weight, here’s the most important thing:  be a happy and positive person and let your spirit shine, because even with a few extra pounds people seem to gravitate to those people that are happy and fun!   Enjoy!

Are you getting ready for a reunion?  What steps are you taking to prepare?  Are you anxious or apprehensive? Or a little of both?  Please share your thoughts with us.

Smiles – Stacey

Stacey Kannenberg
“Ready To Learn Mom”

Tags: class reunion, family fun, friends, Relationships