It was my first day of 7th grade at Mound Valley Grade School. As a cheerleader for the Mustangs, I was looking forward to all of my small town, 12-year-old activities. A new girl walked into Mrs. Giger’s classroom wearing multi-colored striped shorts, a blue short-sleeved t-shirt and sandals. I was jealous of her long straight hair, and the only thing I knew about her was that she’d transferred to my school from Parsons Catholic School. We played them in volleyball — they were vicious.

Her name was Kathy and we soon found lots in common, including having to be separated from each other during class because of our incessant giggling and note-passing. Sixteen years have passed and I’m confident that, if left beside each other in any kind of meeting/class environment, the threat of separation would be looming overhead still.

From kindergarten I had friends like Cristi, Mandy and Heather. We’d been on little league together, and through every science fair, pep rally, and school carnival together. In high school, we all joined forces with Trisha, Janet, Amanda and Amber. Soon all of us were inseparable and spent innumerable nights at each others’ homes, painting our faces at football games, having fun at school dances, talking about boys, and memorizing AC/DC song lyrics.

After high schoolsome of us, admittedly, lost touch. But anytime I came home from college for holidays, I would see my girls and all was right again. Sure, we’d changed. But that common thread binding all of us is always enough to warrant a tight hug and several hours of conversation even still. Sadly I don’t have photos of all of them at my disposal, but I have their smiles forever etched where it matters. A few photos I DO have are below and are really just the tip of the iceberg. High schoolwas a great time in my life, thanks to the great friends I surrounded myself with…even from kindergarten.

and a bit later…

Tuesday’s featured friends: All my friends from ‘back in the day’! And also, I’ll be gathering with all of my Class of ‘98ers in late November for our 10 year high school reunion! Looks like I’ll be reconnecting with several others soon too! To all of you friends, thanks for being part of my quintessential high school memories. You all permeate my photos and memories – both past and present – and I couldn’t be happier about that.