Reconnecting

The previous post inspired me to share how in the last few days I've seen some people that, at least from my point of view, had fallen off the planet after high school. I should start with a few nights ago. Many of you know Marci Pepper, whom I hung out with for the first time in nearly a year. After six years in school together, I couldn't quite believe that it had been 10 months since I last saw her. At the same time we chilled with a couple other good friends from high school, one that I've known for ages. Having been the Romeo to her Juliet in 4th grade, it was a bit overwhelming to see her in her own townhouse preparing to start med school next fall. Yikes.

By far the most surreal encounter, though, was with my friend Ashlee to whom I hadn't spoken since the week before NSO our freshman year. My last memory of her was watching her drive drunk and stoned away from a house party in Boulder. Over the last couple of years I heard little bits here and there about her, and sadly the substance abuse issues got much much worse before she started to straighten herself out. Freshman year she also started dating some guy (lots of drug and other issues himself) and quickly cut herself off from pretty much everyone else. It wasn't until junior year, when she spent a semester in Florence and broke up with this guy, that she reappeared to the rest of us. I ended up spending Friday night in Boulder with her celebrating the 21st birthday of another formerly good friend whom I also hadn't seen since I left for college.

I was really struck by how easily these people and I were able to rediscover our camaraderie. This the gang I spent most weekends with in high school, partied with, spent homecomings and proms with, and was most comfortable with. So quickly those bonds dissolved after graduation. I never really thought the connections could endure several years of dormant friendship, nor did I ever anticipate an opportunity to reconnect with these people. The night in Boulder was fantastic, and I couldn't be more happy to have back some old friends.

In other news, I just found Starship Troopers on TNT. For some reason I always watch this movie when it's on. It's not even all that good. Miss you all tons.