Old is new again.

I just realized recently that I have missed out on so much back in high school when I was preoccupied with Gallery 37. I wouldn't change my high school experience at all if given the chance since they contained some of the best memories of my life, but I would have loved to have been there to be a part of all the memories that my old friends have been reminiscing about lately.
I feel so left out when they talk about all the fun times they have had that I never got to be there for. I was too wrapped up in art. I loved going to school for only 4 hours a day and then heading out at noon to go downtown to do what I enjoyed the most. I loved the feeling of having so much freedom. To explore the city or just getting lost in my own head being creative. I didn't feel like a student at all. During the 2 years in the program I have cooked many yummy things and created a lot of different art pieces that earned me money and an internship at a big advertisement agency. It allowed me to explore more of myself and helped me to finally decide what I wanted to do with my life. So no, I can never say that Gallery 37 was a bad decision for me.
The downside to being in school for half a day though is that I missed out on a major chunk of my friend's lives. I wasn't there when they were at their happiest or saddest. Missed out on all the problems. The late night talks and early morning giggles. The first loves and break-ups. Rolling down hills, beach outings, and picnics in the garden. I want all of it. I missed out on being a high-schooler and I can't ever go back. Hopefully my friends will allow me to live vicariously through them.
What brought all this up though is that we are having a little reunion of sorts this coming weekend. Our little clique is all getting together again for old times sake and hang out in the park near our old high school. It will be a lot of fun and it'll allow me to experience a bit of what I missed back in the day.