Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Somebody's Sister

Phollower and I heard that our high school class is planning a 20 year reunion this year. Yes - we went to high school together (but were not high school sweethearts). And yes - it has been 20 years since we graduated (much to my surprise). Finding out was like getting a little "hey - you're old!" email. We went to high school with my brother-in-law, Trapper John. We hope that this means that if we go, Trapper John and my sister, MrsOz, will also go.

Bit of back story: I switched into the school in my senior year. And while I had friends (including Phollower), I certainly did not have an opportunity to meet everyone in the school, let alone everyone in my year. In fact, MrsOz knows about as many people (if not more) that I went to high school with as I do. She remembers everyone she meets. We used to joke she'd meet someone at a bar and say, "Oh I remember you. We were in kindergarten together!" And MrsOz is more pretty and charismatic than I am, but at least she is humble about it. In fact, Zoe jokes that when MrsOz comes to visit and I introduce her to my friends, like the people I play hockey with, that I become "MrsOz's sister" instead of Sylvia.

Anyway, Phollower and I imaging the get together will go something like this:
Graduate A: So you said your name was?
Me: Sylvia Xxxx (note: I am not Mrs. Phollower as I did not take his last name)
Graduate A: Nice to meet you. Have you met TrapperJohn's wife? I think she said her last name used to be Xxxx. She said she was someone's sister who we went to high school with but I didn't know that person.

Oh well. Maybe MrsOz will introduce me around at the party at least!

8 comments:

Phollower said...

It's funny because it's true.

Zoe said...

Poor Mrs. Oz's sister. You just can't catch a break.

Mrs Oz will always be Sylvia's sister to me.

dykewife said...

eek! you reminded me. this june will be 30 years since bran and i graduated high school. i don't feel that old.

Maria said...

My 30th reunion just passed. I didn't go. I haven't been to any of them. I wasn't out, it was a girl's academy in a very small town and since my two sisters still live there, gossip about me abounds.

I have thought about going in a men's suit just for fun but somehow don't think my sisters would appreciate that, so I have stayed away....

limpy99 said...

My 20 year reunion was apparently last year.

Oops.

Sylvia said...

Maria: That would be a very hard situation to put yourself in. It is really too bad people feel the need to be so cruel. But in the end, it is their loss. You seem like a lovely person to me, and they are missing out.

MrsOz said...

OK OK, I have to sound off here.

I am "Sylvia's Sister". It's true, since we were separated at the time I started high school, I cannot relate to being "Sylvia's Sis", but that could also be because she is 3 grades above me. Makes a big difference at that age.

Yes, I am more outwardly social. I love that you are making it sound charming though. So many people I've been friends with make fun of me mercilessly about it. Like getting to know strangers because you are interested in people is a social faux-paux (sp?). My adult and valued friends DO NOT make fun of that quality in me. So thanks Sis, I'm glad you think it's a positive.

Also - in the interest of full disclosure, it makes a big difference that 6 years ago I moved into the town that Sylvia and Phollower (and my hubby) went to high school. SOOOOO, all the moms and people I've become friends with are often from that age group and grew up here (small small town). And because I've had 6 years to get to know these people (and Sylvia had 1 year) I'm sure that I'll be introducing her to lots of her classmates. I'm looking forward to it, should be a blast. I told Sylvia that I can hang with her and Phollower and Trapperjohn AND hang out with all my friends.

I have to totally disagree though - I AM NOT THE PRETTY ONE. That is a well worn and long worn "label". Sylvia was the "smart one" (Summa Cum Laude, PhD, memory for details, loves learning...). I was labeled the "pretty one" (Cheerleader, outgoing, Cosmetic Salesperson, singer, performer, too many boyfriends (ugh), etc...) So, you know, we had to get labeled somehow.

But we're both pretty, right? Or at least I used to be, and Sylvia will probably not outgrow her "smarts", I on the other hand have had children, C Sections, ugh, need I go on?

Just my two cents. Thanks for the post. I'm famous. I just love all this attention, did you know that I.... OMG I can't help myself. LOL

Side note - Maria - sorry you feel you cannot reconnect. I know for a fact that some of the girls I went with came out (God I hope we're talking about the sexuality, otherwise ignore this). One lives near me and she's a sweetheart, and the other never shows up and we all wish she would. She was so sweet and cute. You never know who is still waiting to hear from you - out or "in" LOL ;)

MrsOz said...

Lets see if my photo shows up this time.