Why the High School Reunion has become obsolete

This is not baby related in any way, shape or form, so I'm deviating from my usual garb....but bear with me. In the "Olden Days", once ten years had passed since you and your comrades took that walk to commemorate the completion of the arduous task that is primary education, you would all take a moment to gather once more and "catch up". Now here I sit, ten years after I took that very walk myself, and it seems that either someone forgot to set up a meeting for the class of '05 or just decided it wasn't necessary. Let me shine a little insight on the situation, and prepare yourself for complete and unadulterated honesty. 

Social media. Ain't it just swell? It makes it so easy to connect with anyone your heart desires, unless of course they block your stalkery ass... Curious how your ex from Freshman year is fairing now? Type in their name and voila! Happily married with a beautiful wife and home and the perfect life. Or, voila! Pictures of beer bellies and unemployment. Is that girl still miss thang or did she finally get fat? Type type type.... She's a fatty! Rejoice! So it seems that Facebook has replaced the need to "check in" on those you learned alongside for the majority of your lifetime. 

There's a flaw here, though. What does Facebook tell you about the people in your life? What they want to tell you. So you friend some guy or gal you went to school with ten years ago to see what exactly they're up to, you see all the pictures that they posted for you to see. You saw where they went last Friday night for drinks (because they wanted you to see it). You saw the flowers her husband brought home from work, all because....you get it. Facebook (among other Social Media sites) enables us all to create the life that we want. We can limit what we share or we can just pin all our laundry on the line. Some people are an open book, but even then you're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. 

Now I've never been to a High School Reunion. This year would have been a first in that department, but as of now, I've been deprived of the experience. With that said, I imagine it would be a lot of catching up like "old times", drinking and sharing the last decades best highlights. So at first glance, it would seem that there's hardly a difference between the life we present on the interwebs and the life we present to our former peers. But there are certain nuances you can pick up on in person that the internet is lacking in. It's much easier to spot nerves/excitement/disappointment/insert any other emotion that may culminate your life over that past decade. 

So the real question here is, should Reunions remain in the fight against Social Media? Or should they bow out gracefully? I think it depends on what you're looking for. If you want to reconnect with old friends and genuinely have an interest in what they've been up to for the last ten years, then put in a call to the damn person and meet over some coffee! In my opinion, and lest not forget my mentioning a lack of personal experience on the matter, I think the idea of a Reunion is great. In theory. But what are the real motives for attendees? I think of Romy and Michelles High School Reunion. My advice, if you want to catch up, then do it! Don't wait for a stupid Reunion for the opportunity. Unless of course you're just interested in finding out if she got fat.....Spoiler alert, she probably didn't. She became a 21 day fix junky.

 

*Authors notes: Your ex from Freshman year and that girl you want to get fat were both made up for dramatic emphasis. But she probably does use 21 day fix...just sayin.