1-5

We had one casualty.

Don't worry, buddy, by the 20th, no one will remember you booted on the floor of the bar. Several times.

First of all, I'd like to thank all of my former classmates who admitted, without reluctance or prompting, that they read this blog from time to time. You guys rock!

Friday night saw the Class of '95 out in mighty force for our 15th high school reunion. As a member of the planning team, I am really really pleased so many people showed up. As a member of the giving team, let me urge those who haven't yet made a donation to do so before June 30th. As someone who many a giving season was only able to come up with $19.95, please don't let the fact that it hasn't been a flush year prevent you from giving something.

I'll confess that I was not expecting us to look so good. And I say this because after our 10th reunion, I went home saddened that some of you (ok, fine, the male half of you) were not well adapting to adult life. But you've tucked in your shirts, shaved your faces, styled your hair that flatters your new hairlines, and returned to the gym - would that I could follow that lead. The ladies, well, you guys look fantastic - even the recent moms and the moms of toddlers. I found devoted partner talking to a stunning mother of three and confess I looked her up and down more than I did him (and won't be mad if he did the same). I don't know what they put in the drinking water in Italy, but I want some and I'm willing to pay for it if it yields those results!

But besides everyone looking so great, and the couple of oversees and cross-country surprise visitors, everyone sounded so great. I guess it should go without saying that our resident TV star looked and sounded great, but the greatest part about talking to him was how humble he was and how excited he sounded about having found such a great gig. I just hope he remembers how talented I am and what a great team we once made when he gets approached about making a buddy cop movie. By my count there were, including myself, seven people from my kindergarten class - how cool is that? In the group are three moms and one expectant dad, oh, and the conductor of a major international orchestra. I caught devoted partner chatting up the couple of physics post-docs - predictable. My mouth still waters at the thought of the Italian market experience soon to open thanks to another intrepid 95er. To the new bride who will soon be embarking on a honeymoon to Tanzania, Mauritius, and Hong Kong, my excitement for you is, at the moment, outweighing my extreme jealousy. To the reporter headed to Haiti, please don't drink the water.

I was so happy to see you all. From rebels who became lawyers to flirts who became wonderful husbands and fathers. I know I have a highly pronounced nostalgia tumor, but, for me, knowing that the people I spent my formative years with are passing their adult ones with such grace is an inspiration and a comfort. This reunion was different for me because it was the first one where I allowed myself to realize that time had past. That I wasn't actually just a heartbeat away from 17. That the last lingering bits of identity I thought were tied up in a school weren't really that important. And this allowed me to worry less about telling you that I'm adrift right now - well the ones of you who don't read this - and don't know what comes next. It allowed me to listen more closely and feel more enthusiastically.

I'm really glad we do this every five years. I hope you feel the same way.