Southern California Bound: The Journey Begins!✈️ Reunion Trip (Part 1)🎓

Returning to High school is not just about revisiting the past, it’s a celebration of growth, memories, and the friendships that shaped who we are today.

Early in the year, I heard about my upcoming high school reunion. At the time, I had already committed to a summer-long local theater production, which consumed most of my energy and focus. Between rehearsals and performance, I was fully immersed in the theater world, and the idea of traveling for a reunion felt distant, almost impossible.

As the year progressed, I occasionally caught updates about the reunion, but the thought of attending seemed exhausting. By the time summer was winding down, and the reunion in October drew closer, I was still hesitant to commit to the trip. My schedule had been so full that traveling felt overwhelming, and I was tempted to let the opportunity slip by.

However, my husband, with his gentle reminders, kept nudging me toward the idea. Over the years, he had heard me speak fondly of my high school days and the special memories I have of growing up in the small town of Brea, California. I often reminisce about the friendships I formed, the adventures we shared, and how that time shaped me into who I am today. Although I’ve lost touch with many friends from those days, the memories remain vivid and cherished.

As I prepare to attend, I find myself reflecting on the beautiful simplicity of growing up in a small town. Brea holds a special place in my heart, not just for the people I met but for the sense of community and belonging that I experienced there. It’s a place where friendships were formed and life felt easy and carefree. While some of the people I once knew are no longer part of my life, the memories will always stay with me.

I’ve attended several of my high school reunions over the years, and I’ve noticed how my perspective has shifted with time. The earlier ones seemed more about impressing others…where we were in life, what we’d accomplished, or how we looked. But as the years have gone on, it’s become less about that and more about reconnecting, being authentic, and appreciating who we’ve become. So much of who I am today is thanks to that wonderful small town I grew up in.

Have any of you attended your high school reunions? What were your experiences like? Did you feel that same shift over time, or was your experience different? I’d love to hear your thought as I get ready for mine in October.

I look forward to seeing familiar faces, catching up on life, and sharing a little piece of the past that shaped me. High school reunions can be a bittersweet blend of nostalgia and joy, and as I step into this next chapter, I’m grateful for the chance to revisit those golden years. Wish me luck as I take this walk down memory lane!