While navigating an extraordinarily long security line at the Southwest terminal of LAX, I found myself in what can only be described as the slowest queue imaginable. Surrounding me were individuals who appeared perplexed by the simple process of placing their belongings on the conveyor belt. As we inched forward, I couldn’t help but make a light-hearted comment to those within earshot. “If we move any slower, we’ll be moving backwards,” I quipped.
Just then, I heard someone call my name from behind. Turning around, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mark, a friend from high school. We hadn’t crossed paths since graduation two decades ago. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he remarked, “Still a witty redhead with a taste for shoes.” I glanced down at my shimmering sandals and felt a twinge of embarrassment upon realizing that they were strikingly similar to a pair I owned back in high school. While I was impressed by his memory, it also horrified me to think that my preferences hadn’t evolved all that much over the years.
Panic soon set in. “Oh no!” I thought. “I don’t want to be the same person I was in high school. That was a challenging period, and I’ve worked hard to evolve!” This thought spiraled through my mind throughout my flight from Los Angeles to JFK. Like many, I have a tendency to look back on my high school days with a mix of embarrassment and regret. My primary goal then was to blend in and remain unnoticed. I wore braces, excessively styled my hair, and embraced shoulder pads with enthusiasm. The struggle to overcome my former invisible self had been a significant part of my journey. The idea that I could still be perceived as that awkward girl filled me with dread.
Yet, upon further reflection, I realized that high school wasn’t entirely negative. I had a wonderful group of girlfriends, and the fashion, though outrageous, was undeniably fun. The music of that era still resonates with me. I often found myself feeling like a character in a John Hughes film, albeit without the typical happy endings. In my version, the popular kids were more likely to cheat off my test in AP math than to rescue me from obscurity.
Interestingly, my musical preferences remain largely unchanged; I still enjoy the same artists that defined my teenage years. While my wardrobe has evolved, my hair retains a similar style to that of my senior portrait, thankfully without the overuse of hairspray. I still possess the same witty disposition and love for shoes that Mark noted. These traits were cultivated during my high school years and continue to influence my identity today.
Perhaps I am not as different from my teenage self as I once believed. High school marks a pivotal time when we begin to develop our personal tastes and express our individuality. It is often the first experience of heartbreak and the initial moments of infatuation. Those four years, despite their challenges, serve as a formative period filled with dreams and possibilities, even amidst the awkwardness.
The next time I encounter an old high school acquaintance, I will take it as a compliment if they say I haven’t changed much. Upon reflection, high school may have been more valuable than I once thought, and perhaps I wasn’t so bad either.
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Summary
Reflecting on high school can evoke a myriad of emotions, often negative, but it can also reveal the foundational elements of our identities, highlighting how our formative years shape who we are. Acknowledging those experiences can foster a greater acceptance of our past selves.