As The Years Roll By
Joel,
I copied the attached article word for word from the July 5, 2011 edition of The Fayetteville Observer. It is a great analysis of high school reunions. I thought it was an article everyone can relate to no matter the age. It should draw some interesting comments. It is very timely since it is the season for class reunions.
Bob McDonald 07-12-11
“Every union has a distinct personality,” said Cyndi Clamp, president of the National Association of Reunion Managers, a trade group for professional reunion organizers. She describes how things change over the decades.
10th
This is the least well-attended and most pretentious, with many people focused on how they look, what kind of car they drive and what their date looks like. Because most people are in the same general place in life, many are measuring themselves against their classmates.
20th
With more perspective and life experiences under their belts, classmates care much less about superficial success and are earnestly curious about how people are doing in their families and careers. The twenty-year is the most well-attended and a time when people’s paths start to diversity.
30th
The 30th gets more interesting because people’s lives are all over the board with divorces, career changes and kids of all ages. Classmates show greater confidence, and fewer spouses and guests come along because people don’t feel that they need someone by their side.
40th
As retirement nears, people’s lives start to resemble each other’s once again. There’s less drinking and more talking, with conversations focusing on “remember when.” People find value in being around others they knew when they were younger because it makes them feel younger.
50th
The golden reunion is the second-most well-attended. There’s a sense that this could be the last time you see these people. Plus, people go because they are able to attend. Like the 40th, nostalgia is strong.
Beyond 50th
These are much smaller reunions, and those who do attend are just really glad to be able to be there.