Reunions!

A decision has been made - we are not going but meeting up with the organiser and her dh when they are next here! Result!!

I've never been to a school or college reunion and wouldn't want to go. However, the last school I worked in have an annual reunion, always in someone's garden, and they can be quite fun. Apart from that we only seem to meet up at funerals of the various old teachers.

I avoided school reunions as I hadn't particularly distinguished myself and assumed they'd be dominated by the people who had. Then there was a big one when I'd been left over 20 years. A friend who'd not been before either came too, we knew we'd enjoy looking round the school. Oddly the people we found friendly were those who'd been prefects when we were 11, especially our form prefects who'd had some responsibility for our general behaviour. There were only two people from our year who strode past us in a corridor without a word, I now wish I'd gushed at them, especially the bully who became Head Girl.
Ten years later I ventured there again, for Committee members were most welcoming. I saw two former pupils I knew in a different context, one ten years older than me, the other ten years younger. Then I went to an evening social event. We had a bowling alley in the panelled hall and ate fish and chips under the austere gaze from their portraits of headmistresses from long ago!
Now I cheerfully go to anything available, finding a surprising amount of things in common with women of all ages. Of course the girls still at school who show us around are, it seems, especially fascinated by tales of the uniforms and rules of long ago!
In short, against the odds, I do now enjoy reunions!

I've been to a few school reunions (mine and dh's). Imo, they can be fun, depending on who shows up. Better if some good friends from the past are there. Since your dh already keeps up with his favorites and most of them aren't going, it might not be so great.

However, I find it can be interesting to see what has become of people - the bloke who was always going to be a lawyer but became a teacher, the girl who was "never getting married" but now is married 35 years with 5 kids, etc. If it's one's spouse's reunion (as this one is), it can be fun to see who he hung out with and hear their view of "who" he was back then.

As for "bragging," I think some of that is in the ear of the beholder. The fact that someone tells you what they've done with their life and it sounds good, doesn't necessarily mean they're boasting. If they go on and on about how much money or power they have, how successful their ac are, etc. then that's a different story. Also, would one want to hear a run down of all their troubles? I don't think so.

I'm glad you're leaving the decision up to dh. That's the way to go, imo.

I've been to lots of reunions , most of which I've enjoyed immensely. This year is 40 years since I graduated and I've made plans to meet up with 2 of my closest friends from my course. Sadly one of the original friends who were close died a couple of years ago but we decided to go ahead and get together anyway. I'm really looking forward to it as I haven't seen either for some years. I also got invited to a reunion dinner at my former Oxford college. As I only went there for a year to do my PGCE I thought I might not know anyone so had always declined previously. I'm so glad I went. Not only did I meet one old friend but I met lots of really interesting people I'd not met before. My friend who was there said it was the first time she'd had the courage to go too, so we shall probably repeat the experience next time. Note to self... next time go by train so you don't have to refuse wine because you are driving!

Grandmattie and Apricity no one else can see you in pink.

I have enjoyed the reunions we have attended. At each of them high school, college etc I have chatted with people and enjoyed their stories and gained some insight.

DH used to don his medals regularly and attend Regimental reunions, each one marked by someone having fallen off his perch and gone off parade in the intervening period. He found it depressing, so he stopped going. I went it one school reunion and that was enough for me!

We had a 50 year reunion of our nursing set it was a lunch. It was wonderful but no partners. A small group said they won't come as they get together regularly which was very hurtful. But someone had a word and they all came

I answer to your question Kittylester. I am very outgoing and have great fun meeting with my friends and family get togethers. But no! I would not enjoy a reunion of any sort. I also hate any organised occasion, weddings, christenings, funeral. It all seems a bit forced to me. Although I really enjoyed my twin GD's 18th. With disco lighting, smoke machine and DJ. I was up there, dancing like no ones watching.

We've not long come back from dh's 50 th reunion from uni. It was celebrated at the old Liverpool airport as was the previous one (40).as I keep my clothes for just about forever it seems,my main worry was that I'd be wearing what I wore 10years ago. I don't think there was any boasting although one non attendee (through ill health) did send his spectacular 100 page cv from the states( it was truly awesome) many of those there we keep in touch with anyway at least through Christmas cards.

I think you must choose your reunion. I avoid a lot but have been to some school reunions and organised a family reunion. This wasn't huge, just for first cousins and their spouses. We got fed up with only seeing each other at funerals. It was this May, and we were very glad we did it as one of the party died very suddenly a six weeks later. So another family funeral where we all met up again!

I am another who has never encountered bragging at reunions. At school reunions we usually ask for information about other contemporaries who are not present but in contact with someone who is and reminiscences about the horrors and daftnesses of our school days. At family reunions we just chat about children and grandchildren and, again, reminisce about family members who have died.

Why would you want to go if you already keep in regular touch with the people you presumably like? The fact you are asking advice probably means you really don't want to go. So don't. Life's far too short to subject yourself to people who you clearly feel will make you feel uncomfortable /annoyed/inadequate or whatever. Your husbands a grown man, let him go if he wants to. Otherwise you'll probably end up with the 'we must do this more often ' scenario and so the problem goes on!

I went to my school's 40th reunion and didn't recognise a soul amongst all these old looking people. Then I looked at the maiden name badges, and it all came back. We had a lovely catch up, got told off for talking in the Library, told the current pupils all the games we used to get up to, and had a super lunch together. The 50th is coming up next month, I am looking forward to seeing them again. Can't see the point of bringing a partner though.

Next month too we have both been invited to a 40th computer society reunion. I will know some of those going, DH is coming with me, but will only know the friends attending (as probably will I) Not looking forward to that so much, but I rarely turn down a free lunch!

I can't think of anybody I'd particularly like to be reunited with..

I'm with Shysal - enough said!

I wouldn't want to go, I'm probably the least social person on the planet .

We're off next week to reunion of DH's old band members. Could be interesting but I'm also slightly apprehensive as I've never met any of them before whereas most of the other females knew each other back then.

I once went to a school reunion with my husband - it was the most boring thing I've ever been to in my life, so said I was never going to another one!! So, don't feel guilty if you don't go.

I would stay away from big reunions of this sort but your DH could attend on his own, if he wants. You can arrange a spa for yourself, as suggested.
Now that we have almost all retired from my university group, I meet up with two very dear friends every year in Paris, where we originally met. No husbands, just us enjoying each other's company in the city of our youth(We now live in 3 different countries). That type of reunion is wonderful.

It's a good job you're not 20 or 30 years younger kitty. Many old relationships are re kindled with old flames at school/uni reunions!

I would be miserable, I would mot attend.

I don't actually need to 'ask' for a new outfit but it's a good excuse.

This is not a family reunion - its a university reunion.

And, as I said, I am leaving it up to DH and if he decides he wants to go then I'm more than happy to support him.

I wasn't really asking for advice - rather asking whether you enjoy them.

It took me about 8 years before I accepted the invitation. I was so pleased I went. DH's mates are lovely, and their wives too - being "foreign" I always feel the odd one out... There is only one wife who is really very uninteresting, but since she rarely talks to me, I don't care. [why are people afraid of women with an IQ in double figures and more than a couple of brain cells?]

The idea of reunions horrifies me! I have absolutely no self-confidence and my self-esteem is zilch. I would feel judged wanting by everyone, while they showed off their successes.