“Can I take this with me?” I asked my mom as we packed the car in our driveway.
“It’s quite large. Do you really need it?”
It was August of ’83, and I was heading off to college. I pleaded with my mom to let me bring that oversized bulletin board along. It may have blocked my dad’s view, but like a stealthy ninja, I managed to slide it into the back anyway. Nestled among my other essentials—milk crates for cozy sweaters to fend off the New England chill, my down comforter (purple, to match the Holy Cross logo), and a mauve bucket brimming with toiletries—was my beloved boombox and a Ziploc bag filled with cassette tapes, including Flashdance, Synchronicity, and Thriller. I was filled with excitement on that day, marking the beginning of my college adventure.
With my vintage Disc camera in hand, I was eager to document my youthful escapades. At just 18, I wanted to hold onto every moment. Initially, I filled my bulletin board with photos from home—pictures of family, high school friends, and my long-distance boyfriend. Then, I began capturing moments with dorm visitors. What started as a playful photo shoot quickly transformed into a cherished collection. Those snapshots became a way to freeze time, allowing me to relive those important experiences.
“You can’t step into my room without letting me snap your picture!” I would declare to anyone who entered. Friends and strangers alike obliged, striking poses that I will always appreciate. The bulletin board, which I affectionately named “The Wall,” began to fill up, showcasing new faces while leaving just a hint of cork visible. It became a quirky status symbol, a sign of approval that everyone wanted to be part of. While it was a humble version of today’s social media, The Wall served as a visual diary chronicling my college life. That summer, I spent my savings developing my remaining film and eagerly flipped through the results.
The Wall was a storyteller, capturing the essence of our early Madonna-inspired fashion choices and our collective adventures. It documented our road trip from Worcester, Massachusetts, to Manhattan for a Neil Young concert during a storm, where we ended up sleeping in my friend’s car. It also captured the tailgate party when we lost our friend, Lisa, for an entire weekend, only to find her making new friends at a local college. And, of course, there was the senior week booze cruise where I met a classmate who would eventually become my boyfriend, among countless other memories. If The Wall could talk, I might have had to pay it hush money!
Three years ago, a classmate reached out to gather college photos for our 25th reunion. She wanted to create a slideshow and I sent her 60 pictures I had rediscovered during a power outage, when I found myself without electronics and in need of a project. As I selected photos from sticky pages, I reminisced about each moment. College truly felt like one long, joyous sleepover. I chose images from toga parties, first dates, quad gatherings, school dances, and Halloween celebrations. I even included pictures of students I didn’t know personally, captured in candid moments around campus.
The reunion slideshow, set to iconic ’80s rock, was a hit! One particular photo captured resilience—a couple who looked so happy in their freshman year. They had both faced serious health challenges but showed up at the reunion in remission, radiating joy. Another image was from the Blind Date Ball, where my roommate set me up with a freshman named Alex, who has since passed away. I remember my dark hair styled in a French braid, wearing a shoulder-padded silk dress, with Alex by my side against a backdrop of bunk beds. The slideshow also featured beloved professors and joyful graduation moments, culminating in a sunset shot of our campus that I had purchased during my final week at school.
Each photo stirred emotions in the room—some evoking wistful sighs and others prompting fits of laughter. We laughed at our youthful faces, our teased hair, and stone-wash denim. The totally awesome ’80s lived up to their reputation, and The Wall’s legacy wowed everyone present, even making its way onto YouTube.
My friends and I reminisced about The Wall long into the reunion night, sharing tales of our college antics and the innocence of our younger selves. In an era where photos can easily be altered or deleted, I cherish my vintage Disc camera, which serves as tangible proof of our shared journey into adulthood and my unyielding willingness to say “cheese.”
If you’d like to explore more about the delightful chaos of family life, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. For those interested in home insemination options, Make a Mom offers reputable kits, while Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, The Wall of Memories I built in college remains a treasured part of my life, encapsulating the joy, laughter, and friendships that defined my youthful years.
Leave a Reply