6/12/22

There is no better feeling than seeing old friends. Seeing old friends, visiting the nostalgia of your memories together. I got to do just that. I attended an alumni event at SUNY Canton. 

It is a small campus, with a perpetual smell of cow manure. That seems gross, but somehow it is a calming and nostalgic aromatherapy. We call it “fresh Canton air”.

We seem to age, but the general vibe at SUNY Canton is the same as when we were 18 and 19 years old. It feels like no time has passed. People just become friends in the magical land of Canton. As more alumni events happen, we meet more and more people that participated in Canton’s Greek presence.

That is how I spent the weekend, with people I haven’t seen in years, people whom have supported our family along the way, and we never really got to properly thank them. People that you can pick up with, even if you haven’t seen them in 10 years. It is such a cool bond for us all.

I left Friday morning. I was the driver and start point of the adventure that was about to make us laugh until our bellies were sore. I stopped at the bank to do some adult business. Then it was off to relive my late teen college days in my 44 year old body.

I picked up Annette first, then Michelle. Quickly the car became full of inappropriate conversation and uncontrollable laughter as we relived weddings we had attended and different events we came together for over the last 25 years.

We stopped and picked up Jamie. He was the last member of our crew and we headed happily to what is usually a super fun weekend long party.

When we arrived, we immediately saw friends. We stayed on Campus in the dorms. It’s cheap and it supports the school. It is set up with a kitchen, two bathrooms a living room and 5 bedrooms. We each got our own room but shared a suite.

Friday was fun hanging out. The campus provides a shuttle to anywhere in the town with on call service. This provides safe rides home from the bar as well.

Saturday morning, my suite mates and I went and ate breakfast in the dining hall. The breakfast wasn’t overly great, but I never really appreciated how beautiful of a building the dining hall was. All knotty pine ceiling with tall windows and over looking the Grassee river. There is so much natural lighting.

We went and watched the fraternity play softball. It was fun to just butterfly around, catching up.

Saturday night my friend, Heather, made an appearance. This was great news for me. We are still partners in crime. We also seem to have a reputation (probably because of Heather).

When we go to Canton, it’s like stepping back in time. The hustle and bustle of everyday crap is interrupted by the distraction of a great time. There is really no responsibility except for yourself. It’s a carefree weekend.

We also had a realization that we all are going through something heavy. Whether it is a parent with cancer or dementia, loss of a loved one, children and grand children, everyone is experiencing some sort of hardship. To have a safe space to talk and give and receive support is priceless.

I can’t wait for the next weekend of fun. I have missed these ladies. I have not laughed so hard or so much since our last alumni event, 3 years ago.

This weekend felt so normal. As normal as it could…..

Fun fact: we didn’t let Heather drive us anywhere….because this is how she parked sober….she was so close to having it in the lines.

Happy Birthday Heather!❤️