10 years!

Ten years! I cannot believe that much time has gone by since I left the comfort of my childhood home in Barrington for the wilds of Colorado. Where I grew up, for those of you that don't know me that well, is a beautiful and well manicured little community about 35 miles northwest of Chicago. It was well-to-do and an amazing place to be a kid. Opportunity was around every corner and our minds were flooded with the idea that we can do anything we want or be anyone we want to be if we worked hard. There were no real restrictions on dreaming big, and if you could think it, it could always be accomplished! Of course all I ever wanted to do was get out of Northern Illinois and head to the mountains of the west....


You'll never hear me say the words I hated high school, or where I grew up, sure I was bored with the place by the time I left, and I knew the icy hills of Colorado were calling my name, but my life was great there while it lasted. I loved high school, my family life, my friends, playing soccer day in and day out, and having nothing in the world to stress about. We partied hard, played a lot, had easy jobs, and there was always food on the table! If I was asked to, I would gladly go back and do it again. There is no remorse for those days, just fond memories.


So...... Here we are, 10 years later and its finally reunion time. I have been excited about this since I left Barrington, headed westward. So of course I was going back to Chicago, however I could to be there for this event. Most of my friends were a tad bit skeptical about going, and without my constant prodding and actual appearance in the windy city, I think they would have skipped out. My brother and best friend in the world was really the only other person that was enthusiastic about going which made me happy when he told me him and his beautiful wife would be flying in! The two of us were able to rally the troops and get most of the old gang out of hiding, and guess what, they all had a blast at the two nights of reunion events. Comments like, "This was so fun, I cannot believe I wasn't going to come." were heard throughout the weekend.



We got to catchup on the last 10 years spent apart and reminisce about those crazy days back in Barrington. We drank, and ate, and smiled a lot. There was constant laughter and ideas about the future (10 years.....). It was amazing! I cannot believe some people choose not to participate in these things, especially people from my high school and my class; we were so united as 17 and 18 year olds, and for me at least, it was fun to rehash some of the classic stories, and see those familiar faces!


The weekend was great, the company was even better, and I am looking forward to the next 10 years of my life! I'm happy with what's transpired since I left home, and I love where I am. I've met great people and have continued wonderful relationships with those I grew up with. Life is still full of opportunity for me, and I know I can do or be whatever I want. I am grateful for the lessons and beliefs my family, friends and this little town instilled in me as a youngster, and look forward to every day that lay ahead! If you are in my life, thank you, you're there for a reason and I appreciate you!

And of course that 20 year reunion, I'll be there!