College Reunion Time for this Single Mom

For months I’ve been looking forward to my reunion at the University of Richmond. The day finally arrived, and I began my solo journey south. I might have been traveling by myself, but I was never alone. My train ride was filled with conversation with my new friend, Jen, traveling to her own reunion at Georgetown.

The six hour trip flew, and before I knew it, my selfless friends, Zoe and Michelle, were grabbing me at the station despite the sheets of rain that engulfed the car. Soon, I was surrounded by my college girls (and guys, too) at one fun location and event after another, beginning with a mini reunion at Jasmine’s home.

After the Friday night get together, Michelle and I continued on to Zoe’s house to spend the night. Cassandra and Ruby stayed with Jasmine, and Laurel promised to meet us in the morning. Everything was finally coming together because we were all coming together!

Attending a reunion solo gives you the opportunity to relax and reconnect with old friends without worrying about the kids getting bored and swimming across the campus lake. On the other hand, attending choice events with family and partners also looked fun. It was great to catch up with my friends’ spouses and kids, who have melded into our lives through the years.

Jasmine and Zoe, who both call Richmond their home, were the master planners and organizers. They rounded us up via text and email. When they couldn’t reach someone, Jasmine sent snail mail. These girls thought of every detail. Zoe bagged countless blankets to keep us warm Saturday night. Jasmine assembled little goodie bags for everyone, which contained a CD with the top hits of our graduation year and a Westhampton decal…so sweet!

Saturday morning, our campus fun began. Most of us would be spending that second night right on campus. We were prepared to sleep in the dorms and half afraid of random roommate assignments, a la Freshman year, but were pleasantly surprised to receive Gateway Apartment key cards. Our accommodations were spacious, clean, air conditioned, and built well after we graduated. Not that we all don’t fondly remember our senior year…. four of us to each two bedroom townhouse, sharing a single bathroom per residence, like a four sister Brady Bunch… but the Gateways were extra nice. Each contained four little single bedrooms and two bathrooms.

I cannot say enough about our gorgeous campus. In fact, I’ll let my pictures do the “talking”. Biases aside (OK, that’s not possible), none of us have seen a more beautiful college campus anywhere. We reveled in the familiar and approved of the changes as we wandered around together, happy to be home. An unexpectedly sunny day was icing on the cake.

It was a fabulous day from start to finish with a BBQ lunch at our beloved “d-hall”, a class reception on a patio overlooking the lake, and a party for all classes lakeside, complete with a band and fireworks…and churros drizzled with caramel or raspberry and a popcorn bar next to the wine one. Now I’m babbling, but the University was was a truly thoughtful and inspired host.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t cover some reunion essentials/etiquette/pitfalls. Be sure to pack some cute yet comfortable footwear. Your next event might be located a walk across campus. Next, please do not use the words, “nice to meet you”, when interacting with someone wearing the same color ribbon as yourself. That red ribbon means you spent four years at a smallish university with the person. Whether you remember or not, it’s virtually guaranteed you crossed paths…multiple times. Along the same lines, if you have no recollection of attending a formal with someone (yet someone reminds you), do not think it’s a good idea to go over and introduce yourself.

And finally, wear your glasses and don’t forget to rapidly and surreptitiously glance at name tags. At one point I smiled blankly at someone before leaning my over 40 eyes in close to read her tag. A lightning bolt of recognition crossed my face when I realized we lived next door to each other for an entire year. Hey, it happens. But I’m convinced that any moment of awkwardness can be remedied with a hug and a laugh.

It was hard saying goodbye to everyone, but we promised to get together before our next official reunion hits in five years. In the meantime, I’m going to proudly wear my new alumni T-shirt and practice my covert name tag glancing skills…Go Spiders!!!!!

This post is dedicated to our courageous and hilarious friend and fellow Spider, Hendersre.

In the words of Ruby, and only edited to alter names and curse words…”When you’re lucky enough to have had friendships lasting your whole adult life you weather a lot of changes…moves, new jobs, weddings, babies, divorces. But I wasn’t ready to lose someone.

Hendersre was chill to my Type A and silly to my serious, but we shared an intolerance for crap. She was smart, hilarious, and at times weird in the best way. Her life was far harder than it ever should have been, but she’d found her groove in recent years as a single mom and high school teacher. I wish I’d seen her more.

Onward sweet girl. Go find my friend Pritty and be badass angels.”