Graduation (Friends Forever)
On my way to work this morning, my iPod conjured up a one-hit wonder from 10 years ago. As I sang along to the chorus “As we go on, We remember, All the times we, Had together, And as our lives change, From whatever, We will still be, Friends Forever…” I grew sentimental and nostalgic.
Vitamin C’s “Graduation” was what my class chose to be our graduation song – for the class of 2000, the song could not have been released at a more apt time. Hearing the lyrics again today, it’s surprising to recall how accurately they captured the sentiments of millions of graduating seniors 10 years ago.
I was certainly one of those who hoped that nothing would change, even though I was moving half way across the country to go to college. In my mind, my group of friends could always get together during the holidays and summer to bake cookies, swim around the pool, playing billiards, and sit around listening to Markus play his guitar.
Many movies portray high school as an awkward time for adolescents, where nerds didn’t fit in and were tormented, and an overall unpleasant time in life. My high school experience could not have been more different – I had a wonderful group of friends who shared many classes, yet we couldn’t get enough of each other and would immediately call each other on the phone once we got home from our extracurriculars. Our group of friends was so close we would hug each other whenever we had to temporarily say goodbye to go to different classes. And don’t get me started on evening study sessions – studying hardly felt like a chore when you got to hang out with your favorite people and there were always delicious snacks.
When I started college, I was a bit nervous about whether I would form similarly close bonds as I had with my high school friends. At first blush, folks in my dorm definitely seemed less huggy, we didn’t make each other colorful signs just to say “hi” or “have a great day”, and I wasn’t sure if anyone would buy me werther’s originals just because it was on sale and they knew it was my favorite candy… I ultimately found some exceptional friends in college, but there’s a special place in my heart reserved for my high school friends and the memories we shared.
To all my high school friends, I know I’ve done a piss-poor job of keeping in touch with you guys over the years, but please know that I cherish the times we had together and the ways you’ve enriched my life. Many of your pictures are still displayed in my bedroom (as in the room I currently live in, not the one in my parents’ house, though they’re there too), and I still have every single sign, letter, and note that you’ve given me. I hope you all are well, and wish you the best life has to offer.
Hugs, and kisses! *Muah!*