Reunited, And It Feels So...Weird

I'm sad to admit I've let a lot of wonderful people slip out of my life, but I thank my lucky stars for those who are somehow still stuck up to their knees in it  (whether or not they’re trying to claw their way out). 

October turned into the month of many reunions, so I’m going to wax sentimental and tell you about some of the important people who haven’t quite given me the boot from their lives – just yet.          

Reunion #1: HELP!

Two years ago I worked for the non-profit HELP International and spent 4 months in sunny Belize with a team of college-student volunteers. I still keep a finger in the HELP pie (mainly because I just love pie), so I was giddy to hear this year’s end-of-summer reunion happened to be during a recruiting trip I had to Utah.
  

Reunion #2: M is for Missionary

The first district I taught in the MTC was an all-star bunch who served in South Africa and Temple Square (two really similar missions). Now, they’re home! Let’s not forget the discomfort of seeing elders wearing blue jeans and mustaches, and of trading kissing stories with the sisters . . .

Reunion #3: The DC-Turned-Utah Crew

This summer my roommate Melissa left her heart (and her dining room table) in DC to become a big shot at the U of U’s MBA program. When I got to Salt Lake, we organized a quick reunion for our friends who had left Mount Vernon for Mount Zion, and ate delicious meatball subs at Moochies.   

Reunion #4: The Freshman 6

There are these girls. We all played basketball on the Freshman B team – that’s right, we aren't even A-team material. Our record was something like 1 - 20, but our mutual awkwardness turned us into commiserating besties.

We all knew on days when Coach Mizell wore her “power shoes” (black high-tops) we’d be running extra suicides. We all knew that when Varsity needed punching bags, we’d be chained to the ceiling. And now 11 years, 2 lost friendship rings, and 3 weddings later, we’re still laughing at Steph’s fashion sense.



We started flexing our muscles 11 years ago and we haven't stopped since 

Who knew these high school yard signs would get so much mileage?

 Someone had the terrible idea of making this year's reunion a half-marathon. Ultimately, one of us flaked and another had to cheer us on from Germany, but the rest of us dashed through 13.1 miles of Texas hill country like warriors (really malnourished and exhausted warriors).   

I learned that if you don't train, you'll probably beat your PR. Figures.

Reunion #5: Keep Calm, and SWAN ON.

The last reunion, the Mecca of All Reunions, was SFR (Swan Family Reunion) 2012. SFR happens every 2 years and is the time when my sibs and my rents get together to golf, shop, and inevitably fight about hockey-ticket debts.

I’d love if we had SFR’s more often, but coordinating 25 people to one location is no small feat, especially when at one point our clan spanned 5 countries. We got 21/25 this round (missed your fam, Matt and Janny!). Check us out: 

Jared and his cute family

Darrell and his cute family

Courtney and her cute family

Grayden and his cute girlfriend

ALONE FOREVER

This year’s destination: Phoenix, AZ. Everyone’s a winner because flights from Canada are cheap, swimsuits are cuter than snowsuits, and In-N-Out is close enough that Jared can eat animal-style burgers every day of the reunion.

And then all of the sudden, Danny had a six pack

My girls, my girls, my girls.

"I've had better"

Sam was the champion of the Eat-an-Oreo-from-your-forehead game...

...and Daphne put forth a valiant effort

I realize I skate around 'good intentions' too much when it comes to valuing those who are dear to me. I'm prone to either be too busy to talk or too self absorbed to listen, and THAT my friends, is how people slip through the cracks and out of your life.

So here's to family and friends. Here's to getting them into your life - and keeping them there. Here's to good intentions, and to even better follow through.

Go have a reunion.