What doesn't change

Me: I'm still persistent, earnest, and okay with simultaneous contradictory ideas. RS: She's still generous, got plenty of common sense, and a good teacher. (The bottom pic is from a trip that RS and I made after college, to visit NY and meet up with AW and other friends. RS is the sort of friend who sticks with you through your most unlovable moment and helps you figure it all out.)

Four leaf clovers and magic potions

CB: She's still a voracious reader, likes getting dressed up, and is imaginative. (CB didn't go to the reunion, since she actually moved out of town during elementary school, but we met up later at a convention. I owe CB for introducing to me to the joys of obsessive Harry Potter fandom.)

Always moving forward

JL: She's still full of grace, soulful, and adventurous. KM: She still lives deeply, is artistic, and has a penetrating wit.

Surrender Dorothy

BB: He's still captivating, creative, and willing to seize the day. KH: He's still marching to his own beat, able to enjoy simple joys and beauty, and kind. (I'm still the Wicked Witch of the West sometimes, and KH's got his hard-earned brain for sure.)

Past, present, future

AW: She's still hard-working, kind, and leads by example. RA: He's still genuine, humble with a quiet confidence. (One of the great things about the reunion was getting to meet some of the wonderful, interesting, fun spouses, who were all great sports about attending.)

What's cooking

TN: He's still good with words and music, a poet working in a range of media.

Driving there

DH: He can still appreciate the absurd, recognize what's real, and tell a story with great timing.

The few, the proud

CM: He's still fearless and honorable, eloquent in writing or in person. (RS and CM got up at the reunion dinner and sang the school song. Not karaoke, actual singing! Very gutsy.)

Going places

MK: He can still make you fall out of your chair laughing, but work with laser-like precision and focus. (I have no idea when this early pic was taken, and M is just barely in the frame, but it's a fun one because JL, KM, BB, and KH are also in it.)

Getting into the mood

As mental preparation for our 20 year reunion, I wrote an amateur novel about a 20th reunion. This plan totally worked (in that I ended up having a great time at the reunion), but I can't really recommend that anyone actually read the resulting novel. Don't say I didn't warn you. (If you really feel the urge to experience my amateur writing, I direct you instead to http://tinyurl.com/RongoNaNoWriMo)