My 20th high school reunion festivities took place this past weekend.
And I think social media made it awkward at first.
Lots of obligatory chit chat about general things we already knew about each other.
Kids.
Spouses.
Jobs.
Current cities of residence.
Current cities of residence.
Faces I quickly scroll past on a regular basis.
Standing in front of me, in living color.
Moving.
Real.
As the night went on and spilled over to a family gathering the next day,
I noticed the awkward small talk turn to laughter.
And deep care.
And love for these people that I shared such an important part of my life with.
I think social media is amazing.
I love it for information sharing.
It made so much of our reunion possible.
But I am reminded again of it's downfall.
I love it for information sharing.
It made so much of our reunion possible.
But I am reminded again of it's downfall.
A quick swipe of my index finger makes me feel caught up.
A comment here and there.
An occasional like.
An occasional like.
I feel like a good friend.
But it's a false feeling.
It's not enough.
And requires balance.
And requires balance.
It can make us lazy.
And lonely.
And lonely.
We were made for more.
Genuine face to face connections.
Genuine face to face connections.
Deep conversations.
Real laughing.
Sneaking peeks of the former lineman as he gently tends to his sweet little son.
Talking to a beautiful friend about caring for her aging mother-in-law.
Talking to a beautiful friend about caring for her aging mother-in-law.
Listening to our super talented class president talk about her perfect job curating an art gallery.
Ugly cry laughing with girlfriends on a couch.
Ugly cry laughing with girlfriends on a couch.
Doing life, even for a short time, with my high school besties as we mother together.
On a blanket in a park.
A park we used to play at when we were children ourselves.
Sharing parenthood war stories.
Wondering why we don't get together more.
Promising to get together more.
Wondering why we don't get together more.
Promising to get together more.
Nothing beats it.
So sweet and so rich.
And I feel like we barely had enough time to scratch the surface.
BBQ at my house in two weeks.
I'm serious, you guys.