Most of the friends that showed up at the reunion (previous post) were made while in high school with the exception of Dolly.  She and I had also gone to grade school together as well.  Dolly and I dated friends while in high school.  And although the "boyfriends" did not show up at our reunion their friends did.  The men in the photos were all good friends of our boyfriends at the time.  We all spent countless hours together and after graduation I stayed good friends with most of them.  Until I moved away from So. Calif. in October of 1979.

The reunion was in March of 1993.  In October of 1994 I made my daily visit to my P.O. Box and amongst the normal bills and catalogs was a letter address to me ..... but with my maiden name.  The handwritting looked familiar .... in the corner of the envelope where the return address would be was one word .... SURPRISE?!

I walked to the general store .... sat down on a bench and opened it up ....

Dear Julie,

How are you?  I'm doing fine.  Bob O. called me the other day and he gave me address, so I thought I'd write to you this letter.  I've often thought about you and the wonderful memories you've brought in my life.  I could never forget you.  Just to bring you up to date with what's up with me, I'm still serving God with all my heart and doing my best to live for him.  My wife and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.  I feel proud of this accomplishment.  Nowdays, marriages don't last too long.  I can sure understand why.  There's so much pressure on the family (thanks to our goverment).  I have two very, very beautiful daughters.  I'm not just saying this because I'm their dad.  They really are!  One in 14 and the other is 11.  The oldest is very shy and the younger is opposite.  She is the life of the party.  I also have a boy 9 years old.  He's my pal. 

The letter went on about the job, the wife ..... more than I want to type .... so picking up later in letter ....

I probably look about the same.  I've been a jogger for awhile and have tried to kep myself fit.  So I probably weigh about 15 lbs. more than when you last saw me.  I just have a little higher forhead with some gray on the sides.  Enough about myself, I really want to hear how things are with you .... even if things did not turn out so good.  I can still remember all the good times we had together.  I remember all your beautiful features - your beautiful blue eyes, your happy smile with your curly lips, your nice nose, your sexy legs and feet.  I'll never forget you.  I'm sorry I treated you so badly when we were going together.  I don't understand why I did some of the things I did.  There are a lot of things we regret in life, but we can't dwell on them too much.  We just have to get forgiven, go on, and try to do better.  Are you married?  Working?  Do you have children? What is it like where you live?  Please answer my letter.  I curious about you and want to know you are allright.  How are you mom and dad?  If they are still with us tell them I said Hello.  Do you still stay in contact with Nancy or Dolly?  I'm anxious to hear from you and share memories.  I hope you recieve this letter warmly because that is how I'm sending it .... with love.

To my very first love, Julie

Love,

L.B.

I had very mixed emotions at the time.  He was my first love too.  I spent three years with him.  I planned on marrying him and having his babies.  When he "found god" he dumped me.  I wasn't quite ready to give up my party lifestyle.  Three months after breaking up he married.  I felt betrayed ....

He invited me to his wedding.  I went - mad as hell.  Drunk as hell.  He was not happy with me on that day.  And that was actually the last time I saw him. 

I had asked about him during my reunion visit.  But was told he kinda kept to himself and his family.  Severed most ties with those he felt were bad influences.  It made me sad .... we really were a tight group of friends.

I did write him back.  My letter to him started out nice enough ... but then, even after all those years the anger welled up in me and I let him have it.  Not even sure why .... I just did.  He wrote back.  Shocked I had been so angry.  I didn't even finish the letter ..... I tossed it away.  Why I kept this one I really don't know.  I think deep inside I feel I owe him an apology .... ???

Why I felt compelled to share all this I have no clue.  Just something to write about.  So once again ... thanks for putting up with me.

One more thing .... completely off subject ...

I happen to love the smell of skunk .... it reminds me of freshly brewed coffee.  Wierd?

Peace.  J.