Once upon a time, I lived in a landfill.

No, I’m just kidding about that. Unfortunately, New Jersey has a stigma for being called dirty, or that the entire state is a landfill. That’s not true, though there are a lot of landfills in New Jersey.

I digress.

So, yeah, I grew up in New Jersey, in a small town called East Windsor. Near there was a town called Hightstown, and it was your quintessential small town. Lake in the middle, main street with a pharmacy, little shops, the most delicious Chinese restaurant (that is still there actually), among other things. Most people knew each other, and most people had several generations stay there over time. We got out of there in 1996, but a lot of my friends from elementary school are still there. Not that there’s anything wrong with that of course.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend my best friend’s daughter’s 4th birthday party. You may remember the super cute hat that I made for her. Well, it just so happens that the party became a reunion of sorts, because I got to see good friends I haven’t seen since 4th grade. I haven’t seen Sam since 2001, and I haven’t seen Jackie or Cara since 1996. So in actuality, the last time we were all together was 4th grade, right before we moved to Las Vegas. You can imagine how amazing it is to see how much the time has flown since we were 10-11 years old. The three of them all have kids, which is awesome. Jackie’s little girl looks exactly like her mom did when she was that age.

Anyway, I wanted to share a few photos with you, some from the nineties and some from the party last weekend. Unfortunately, I haven’t unpacked any of my photos since we moved, so I don’t have any photos of Jackie and Cara back in elementary school yet, but I’ll find them. I do however have a couple of me and Sam.

Sam and I, circa 1992

My fifth birthday party...I think Jackie was in there somewhere.

And then some from last weekend.

The four of us reunited: Cara, Jackie, Sam, Me

Cara and her son Alex

Cara's son Alex attacking some birthday cake.

Sam's daughter Cheyanne, and her new flip flops!

Cheyanne, modeling the hat I made her.

When I look back at the last 16 years or so, I am reminded of the simpler days of elementary school. I’d get up in the morning, watch cartoons (or the news) while eating my breakfast, go to school and see my friends. Then I’d come home and do homework, call up a friend or two on the telephone (you know, that thing with a cord that plugs into the wall and not through the cable line). Life was easy when you were that young. No bills to pay, no mouths to feed. Just plain, unadulterated (in all senses of the word), life.

Ah nostalgia. Makes for a depressing Saturday afternoon in the life of a 25 year old married college student.

time flies nostalgia best friends elementary school