I can hardly believe that my 20 year high school reunion is just two years from now! I remember not being able to wait until high school was over. Now I wish I had a time machine and could go back. Those were the days, weren’t they? I was a nerd and spent nearly all my time studying, but I certainly didn’t have the stresses that I now deal with on a daily basis. My biggest worry was whether or not Larry Bryan was ever going to ask me out.
Larry was a year younger than me. I met him when we both started working on the yearbook staff. We became instant friends. What I liked most about him is that he made me laugh. He was always joking and playing pranks, and just hearing his laugh could make me smile. We were both huge pro wrestling fans, and our favorite wrestlers just happened to be bitter enemies. I loved Ric Flair, and Larry had some crazy fascination with Lex Luger. I don’t remember how it originally got started, but we wrote poems to each other nearly every day – poems about our wrestlers. Poems about how Ric was going to kick Lex’s ass, and how Lex was going to pulverize Ric. I know I still have those poems somewhere. I sure wish I could find them.
I don’t remember all the details of Larry’s life, but I do know that he had not had an easy one. He lived in a boys’ home run by a local church. Some of the other boys attended our school as well, and though they had been through harder times than most of us could have ever imagined, they were some of the nicest kids I’d ever met. They truly knew the meaning of the word “respect”.
Larry and I never dated; though there were times that I suspected he might be interested in me. But it just wasn’t meant to be, I guess. We lost touch after graduation. We met up a few years later and renewed our friendship. Unfortunately, that didn’t last either. We had some silly misunderstanding, and he chose to walk away.
I haven’t seen or heard from Larry since, but sometimes I am reminded of those days gone by, of those wrestlers now old and gray, and of that beautiful friendship that slipped right through my fingers. And I pray that he’s out there, and that he knows I’m truly sorry that our friendship didn’t last a lifetime.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
My 20th HS reunion was last weekend, and while I was reminded of why I didn’t like certain people, it was a true joy to see many others.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Sorry but I have to comment on that photo, Tish. Why does it look like you’re all decked out for a hot date, and Larry’s ready to go run a marathon or sit on the couch with a beer and watch football all day?
Hopefully he’ll read this and get back into your life a bit, though.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
This post made me sad. I wish you were still friends with him. Maybe you will be able to get in touch with him and work things out. This could end up being a perfect Lifetime movie where 20 years later you end up with the guy and marry him!! Maybe he’ll be at your reunion in 2 years if you don’t meet up with him before.
August 16th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
…that you were able to recollect those experience in such vivid detail is what keeps the friendship forever. if were to be rekindled (via reunion) then it’ll be like the sequal to your favorite movie series with same characters, just different directors and production staff. the original is with you always. this makes me want to go find your friend and make sure he reads it. however, that isn’t the point. thanks for sharing this with us. you wow me.
August 16th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Steve – It sure is hard to believe that so much time has passed, isn’t it? I’m glad you had a fun time at your reunion!
Andrew – Ha! It sure does look like he’s ready to sit on the couch, drink beer, and watch football! Wow. Why does that sound so appealing to me all of a sudden? Guess it’s my old age. Sitting on the couch with a beer beats going on a date these days!
Flat Coke – Your comment made me laugh. I guess anything is possible. Thanks for the kind words!
Atticus – Aww. You’re still reading! I’ve missed you!
And thanks for the very sweet words. You wow me too – always have and always will! 
August 17th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Maybe he’ll see this and get back in touch. One can hope. If not, at least you are willing to let bygones be bygones. That is a healthy decision.