Last week was Newtonbrook’s 50th Anniversary celebration. A lot of work went into the planning and execution of the event. There was an open house during the day and then a ‘reunion’ at night. They promoted the event for a very long time, and they did have a good turnout at the school. They sold out, which I think meant 500 tickets sold. There were many people at the last minute that wanted to come but couldn’t get a ticket. I am sure that there were many people that entered through open doors that night….

It is funny, but I think social media played a factor in the lack of attendance for the grads from the 80’s and after. I would say that almost all the people I saw at the event that were my age (or thereabouts) are my ‘friends’ on Facebook. We may not see each other live (some yes) but we know what is going on with each other. In fact, everyone that saw me knew about my infection (because I was updating on Facebook) and was surprised to see me there. I probably should have stayed home, but really didn’t want to miss it. There won’t be another 25th anniversary opportunity

It was a great event, and I was happy I went, but I think that the “older” grads had a different experience than I did. Many of them graduated many years before I was at the school. It was the 50th anniversary so that would make sense. Since I like to plan my own get togethers with groups of people I want to see and spend time with, I think I will continue to do that. That was a common message I heard from friends of mine. Like ‘friending’ someone from back in the day on Facebook. Perhaps you had things in common with them in high school, but twenty five (or more) years later it is a whole different ball game.

Being at the reunion and the fact that it is our 25th anniversary brings me to today. For those who graduated with me know what today is? Today is the 25th anniversary of our high school prom! YES, it is.

You are probably asking me how I remember such a silly date as our high school prom. The first reason is that it was the same day as the opening day of Skydome.  I remember it was a rainy night and we were at the Westin Harbour Castle  and you could see the skydivers landing inside the open roof of the first ever retractable roofed stadium, while it poured.

I also remember because my grandfather passed away the day before the prom. It is crazy to think that means he has been gone 25 years as well, but it is what it is. Indelible life events.

I remember thinking about not going to the prom. All my relatives were arriving from Montreal and my Grandmother told me that there is no way I could miss the prom. I had the dress (purple of course), my friends were all going together in a limo, the night was four years in the making. Prom night.

There are things you don’t forget. I remember that I was watching people I knew talking to the friends I had come in the limo with, and then coming over to me to wish me condolences. I am glad I went, because I think I would have always thought, why didn’t I go to the prom.

I have friends who have ‘kids’ that are attending their proms this year. It is funny and reminiscent to look at the photos, the corsages, the happy parents with their grown up children.

I don’t think that Prom today is much different than it was ‘back in the day’, and I will always be glad I had that memory.