Last month, I went to my fifth-year high school reunion. OK, OK. So, it wasn’t my fifth year, per se. It was my twentieth high school reunion. Ughhh. Why does this make me feel so darn old saying that!? It feels like yesterday that Chris was walking me to my classes and giving me a smooch before we parted ways. You know — because we wouldn’t see each other for another forty minutes. We got in trouble for this once, which was absolutely ridiculous. I’ll save that for another time, though. But if this teacher only knew that Chris and I got married right out of high school, had two beautiful kids, and made a wonderful life together, I think maybeeee she would have let us smooch longer. Maybe. Just maybe.

I never went to my fifth- or tenth-year reunion. I had no interest at all in going. The fifth was too fresh. Everyone I wanted to see — I was friends with.

The tenth year, I was too much of a chunky monkey. I was not ready to show my face at something like that. I had all the confidence in the world, but not for this. Not one bit. I was up one hundred pounds since I graduated. No joke.

Actually, now that I think about it, our ten year was at Haywood’s On the Water. That night, we were pulling out our pontoon boat that we used to have at the Antlers Club. My brother asked me if that was my reunion that was going on under the pavilion. I told him yes, but that I wasn’t going.

“Sis, you should go over!” my brother, Luke, said.

“Ummm. I don’t think so!!” I replied back.

There I was. A perfect picture of a river rat who had been basking in the sun all day. Hair stringy and wet, and wearing a skirt suit bottom with an oversized shirt to help cover my fat. I wouldn’t have been caught dead in a suit at that point in my life. If I had gone over to my ten-year reunion, they would have thought a beached whale was poppin’ in for some apps. FOR REAL.

*Is it OK to insert a cheesy smile here?* Haha. (My mother right now is reading this saying, “Andrea Sue!” for calling myself that.)

Let’s jump ahead to my twenty year that was held at Farrington Place at the beginning of August.

I knew for months I was going — and was dragging friends with me. Also, my husband said he would go. I bought a dress from Popilush that I couldn’t wait to wear — an all-black, very form-fitting, long spaghetti strap dress. I just thought I needed something new for the special occasion and had been the smallest I had been in over fifteen years — being nearly seventy pounds down. I wanted something I could feel good in. I’m no toothpick by far, but I have come such a long way. (I don’t ever want to be a toothpick anyway. I love my curves. Just throwing that out there.)

Anyway, the day came, and we met all my friends and their husbands at the Genetti for drinks and apps before our reunion. They were playing early 2000’s music, which we cracked up at. It’s like they knew we were going to our reunion.

The friends I was with were so nervous, but I wasn’t at all. I was excited to see people that I hadn’t seen in years. The people I’m friends with on Facebook who live out of town, but we still keep caught up on each other’s lives through social media. It was going to be so good to see them in person.

It was awesome to see everyone. Farrington Place did a remarkable job. (Our friends Eric and Anna Winters are the owners. They have an amazing business there!) There were big balloons that read 2003. A picture was taken of all of us graduates underneath these balloons. I got to talk to people who I hadn’t seen since the day we graduated. It was such a wonderful time.

The coolest part was how many people said they read my column in the Webb. It truly blew my mind.

Everyone was genuinely happy to see each other. So many told me how good I looked and how they loved following me on my social media platforms. People that you never would have ever imagined!? It’s crazy how life works. I felt so good when I left!

I was glad that I went and saw my fellow Williamsport Millionaire classmates of 2003. We were saying how it stinks that we have to wait another five years to all be together again. It was just so nice to all be together again. I never thought I’d feel that way. But I did that night. I made sure to talk to everyone I wanted to see and catch up with. Where does the time go? Don’t miss things like this. Life is too short. Even a beached whale would have enjoyed herself! *Cheesy Smile!*

Ham & Cheese Cosmos

Everything as needed:
• 6 pack of hoagie rolls
• 1 lb. of baked ham
• 1/2 lb. provolone
• 1 bag shredded mozzarella (About a cup)
• Shaker Parmesan
• Mayo
• Italian Seasoning

Directions:

Lay rolls down on a cookie sheet. If you are making more than four cosmo’s you will need two sheets. Spread mayo on the inside of the rolls. Fold ham and place that next over the mayo. Next, place the provolone on top of the ham then sprinkle with mozzarella. Lastly, shake parm cheese on each hoagie and top with a dash of Italian seasoning on each one.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted.