My husband is a very proud graduate from Lawrenceville boarding school in New Jersey. Five years ago, him and all his friends (with whom he has still remained very close) reunited in Lawrenceville for their 10 year. This was shortly before my time with Mike, but I've seen the pictures. It was quite a turnout from their class, and it was a little bit of a wild ride. But this year, was the big 15 year reunion. And this year, there are more wives and babies between all the members of the class of 1997.
 |
| This is an actual shot from campus. Gorgeous |
|
Mike and I took the train out to the campus for the reunion festivities. We were joined by the Bucks and welcomed by the official class of '97 greeter, sweet Mr. Ashby McElveen and his beautiful wife. This high school reunion wasn't like normal high school reunions. It was more like a college alumni weekend, where people from every 5 years were reunited with their high school buddies. There were reunions from 5 years all the way up to 50 (maybe even higher, but I didn't see any of those folks!). And everyone was at the saaaame hotel.
The first night was a welcome dinner for Lawrencians of all ages. Hundreds of alumni gathered for a night of delicious food and cocktails. Some old, some young, some coaches, and some faculty. The boys were so happy to be back on their old stomping grounds and they kicked off the weekend with a barrage of stories and memories. Despite the fact that the Mobleys visit Princeton 4-5 times a year, I have yet to spend this much time at the boarding school of which my husband is a proud alumnus (yes, that's the proper term, I've specifically looked it up before this entry). Every time we're in Princeton, Mike tells me "I wish we had time to go see Lawrenceville". Needless to say, he was thrilled to share the beautiful sights and chronicles of his high school career.
On day two, after we piled into a packed car to find booze for the day, we headed to campus to explore the grounds. And I'm not exaggerating when I say, this place reminded me of Hogwarts. They had dining halls, and dorms, and prefects....everything but the magic! But the most important task of the day was to adorn ourselves in Lawrenceville red. We visited "the Jigger" where all of us stocked up on the necessary Lawrenceville school apparel and trinkets. Between the group, I think we left with more than enough t-shirts, cufflinks, scarves, ties, belts, dog collars, hats, sweatshirts, and just about anything else you can name (except the bathrobes...no one bought the aggressively fancy Lawrenceville bathrobes).
Shortly after that, we ventured through the football stadium, over the bubbling brook, in front of the ropes course (where Mike reminded me that he was head ropes course instructor), and past the field house to watch the varsity boys lacrosse team. Mike and Chuck mingled with old coaches, and chatted animatedly about what "little contact" there was between the boys and how good the two of them were "in their prime". They did indeed relive the glory days while watching the game. Had the opportunity presented itself, I'm positive they would have put on gloves and masks and played right along with their successors. Outside of the obligatory "let's go watch your boyfriend play his sport" situation in high school, I don't think I've sat through an entire lacrosse game, and it was REALLY fun. I'm not sure I know all the rules, and there are 20 different colored circles/lines on the field, but I could really get into it!
The final night of the weekend was a more intimate night with just the class of '97 and their significant others. Since the group was quite small, they had their class dinner inside the field house, one of Mike's favorite places on the whole campus. He didn't waste any time before he gave me the tour and pointed his name out as lacrosse AND football captain (swoon!) among on the wall of other former team captains at Lawrenceville. MM Mobley, as it was written on the wall, is in the company of several years of athletic tradition, and being captain of both teams is probably one of his proudest accomplishments to date. It meant a lot to him to be able to share that with me, and I was glad to get a glimpse into his high school life.
Alumni weekend went by way too fast, and before we knew it we were on board the train headed back to Penn Station. In 2012, I think the Lawrenceville alumni weekend was more of a theme of "reminiscing" and "sharing". I'm sure it was a much different experience for my husband for the 15 year, and being able to share his high school with me rather than partying with some of his boys that he's known now for over 16 years. But we all had a great time, even though it was a bit different circumstances. I can't wait to go back to visit again, potentially for the big 2-0. I must say that I'm proud to be married to such an athletic mastermind! Now, let's just hope that the kids take after YOU honey!!!!
Mike and I took the train out to the campus for the reunion festivities. We were joined by the Bucks and welcomed by the official class of '97 greeter, sweet Mr. Ashby McElveen and his beautiful wife. This high school reunion wasn't like normal high school reunions. It was more like a college alumni weekend, where people from every 5 years were reunited with their high school buddies. There were reunions from 5 years all the way up to 50 (maybe even higher, but I didn't see any of those folks!). And everyone was at the saaaame hotel.
The first night was a welcome dinner for Lawrencians of all ages. Hundreds of alumni gathered for a night of delicious food and cocktails. Some old, some young, some coaches, and some faculty. The boys were so happy to be back on their old stomping grounds and they kicked off the weekend with a barrage of stories and memories. Despite the fact that the Mobleys visit Princeton 4-5 times a year, I have yet to spend this much time at the boarding school of which my husband is a proud alumnus (yes, that's the proper term, I've specifically looked it up before this entry). Every time we're in Princeton, Mike tells me "I wish we had time to go see Lawrenceville". Needless to say, he was thrilled to share the beautiful sights and chronicles of his high school career.
On day two, after we piled into a packed car to find booze for the day, we headed to campus to explore the grounds. And I'm not exaggerating when I say, this place reminded me of Hogwarts. They had dining halls, and dorms, and prefects....everything but the magic! But the most important task of the day was to adorn ourselves in Lawrenceville red. We visited "the Jigger" where all of us stocked up on the necessary Lawrenceville school apparel and trinkets. Between the group, I think we left with more than enough t-shirts, cufflinks, scarves, ties, belts, dog collars, hats, sweatshirts, and just about anything else you can name (except the bathrobes...no one bought the aggressively fancy Lawrenceville bathrobes).
Shortly after that, we ventured through the football stadium, over the bubbling brook, in front of the ropes course (where Mike reminded me that he was head ropes course instructor), and past the field house to watch the varsity boys lacrosse team. Mike and Chuck mingled with old coaches, and chatted animatedly about what "little contact" there was between the boys and how good the two of them were "in their prime". They did indeed relive the glory days while watching the game. Had the opportunity presented itself, I'm positive they would have put on gloves and masks and played right along with their successors. Outside of the obligatory "let's go watch your boyfriend play his sport" situation in high school, I don't think I've sat through an entire lacrosse game, and it was REALLY fun. I'm not sure I know all the rules, and there are 20 different colored circles/lines on the field, but I could really get into it!
No comments:
Post a Comment