I didn’t expect to meet a new person – at least new to me – at my 60th High School Reunion. He approached me as I entered the restaurant for Saturday brunch. His first words to me were “What are you reading these days?” Of course I knew him, but I couldn’t recall ever having an in-depth conversation with him during our high school years or at previous reunions. And I’m absolutely certain that no one at a class reunion ever began a conversation with me about books.
In our senior year I was voted “Most Intellectual Girl”. I was pictured in the Year Book standing in the chemistry lab wearing one of those awful rubber aprons that were mandatory protective gear. I would have preferred to be on the “most popular girl” list or at least be a cheer leader back then. But through the years I have grown to cherish my intellect. When my classmate asked me about books he became my long-lost new friend.
We discovered that we like the same authors and had recently read some of the same books. Our conversation was a book lover’s feast! My friend said another of our classmates had recommended a “must read” book to him. Funny thing, a book discussion class I’m part of is scheduled to read that book in the fall. He had the great idea that we read the book at the same time and compare notes by email. I accepted his invitation.
High School Reunions and I have an odd connection. I married my high school sweetheart, also a class mate, but we never attended reunions together. After we divorced we attended our 40th Class Reunion separately. At that reunion a classmate I had not known well sought me out to tell me he had been secretly in love with me in the 6th grade. He swept me off my feet with this romantic line which was the beginning of a long distance courtship. My middle years were fertile ground for taking risks and I married him. Finally our story fizzled out and by the time of our 60th High School Reunion I was single again. I was done with finding husbands at class reunions. My serendipitous book-friendship suits me just fine.
poetrybyheart.me 
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