I lived and worked in my hometown for the first 15 years or so after college, then moved out of state. My kids went to elementary school there. We enjoy going back for a holiday or summer trip. Kids get to see old friends and the wife and I will bounce around seeing old friends and family for a few days. I enjoy how we don't miss a beat with old friend groups, even if we have not seen them in a couple years. My kids are really noticing how much simpler life is there compared to where we are now. Sure do not miss the small town drama though.
The Hometown Return
- Thread starter AgronAlum
- Start date
I am a bit of a sentimentalist. My oldest brother and I do a lot of "do you remember" stuff. I have fond memories of my childhood even though most by most normal measures it was not a good one. My sister (between our ages) says she had a terrible childhood. I told her "I choose to remember the good things" even though I do not forget the bad things.
I grew up in the same house age 3-16 and went to a very small town school. There were about 18-20 kids and most of them were the same with very few changes. Then in the summer after 6th grade at the very last moment a judgment had our school district absorbed by the one in a neighboring town - where I went 7-10 grades. Then we moved and I finished HS in yet a larger town (over 400 in my graduating class). Needless to say I didn't know all those classmates. I did work at HyVee so got to know a lot that way. And we had gone to church in that town all along so I knew about a dozen kids from that.
This year is our 50th class reunion. I'm going to both. I really mostly want to see the first group.
I've found most people who go are not the same person they were in school.
I grew up in the same house age 3-16 and went to a very small town school. There were about 18-20 kids and most of them were the same with very few changes. Then in the summer after 6th grade at the very last moment a judgment had our school district absorbed by the one in a neighboring town - where I went 7-10 grades. Then we moved and I finished HS in yet a larger town (over 400 in my graduating class). Needless to say I didn't know all those classmates. I did work at HyVee so got to know a lot that way. And we had gone to church in that town all along so I knew about a dozen kids from that.
This year is our 50th class reunion. I'm going to both. I really mostly want to see the first group.
I've found most people who go are not the same person they were in school.
Reading through this got me to thinking. With the rise of social media taking the place of a lot of stuff that happened traditionally at class reunions has attendance tanked at those? I went to my 5 yr and 10 yr one but haven't been to one since. We had our 25 yr reunion last year and I really didn't see any reason to drive down to it since I know what people are up to that I care anything about through facebook. I know what they're up to, what their kids are up to so why drive down and hear that in person? I suspect there are lot more people who feel that way.
I can't tell you for sure when I last went to my hometown. It was at least a decade ago. Probably longer. My parents moved away years ago, so I have no real reason to return. High school was not my favorite time. I've remained in contact with those I care to still know.
I think you're right I'm in a group chat with my 5 closest high school friends and a different one that is used less with the 40ish kids who I was loosely friends with in high school that's more just like hey did you hear x thing about y person, or like I'm going to be home and at x bar at y time.
It's been nearly 35 years since I graduated. My class was one of the last before it got combined with another school. We had 26 kids graduate.
3 have died
A little over half still live in Iowa
At our 30 year, 19/23 showed up for our reunion. As small as we were, we really had no choice but to get along.
I love going back to see how everyone is doing.
3 have died
A little over half still live in Iowa
At our 30 year, 19/23 showed up for our reunion. As small as we were, we really had no choice but to get along.
I love going back to see how everyone is doing.
