Monday, February 27, 2006

Memories...

One of my girlfriends from high school emailed me this picture today. It had been a long time since I had since it or thought about the event it portrays.

The school I went to didn't allow dances, so every year we had what they called a "Spectacular." Yes, they noun-ed an adjective.
Anyway, we got all dressed up like a prom with limos and tuxes, etc. And we had an extravagant dinner and afterwards went to random places like putt-putt or bowling or whatever and always had a blast.

My very first year I went, I was a Freshman. So I wasn't even technically supposed to be allowed to go. But the guy who asked me was a senior, so they let it go. And it was kind of a "mercy date" really. I know, it's rather mean to do in a way, but I really wanted to go. And I believe I had just gotten rid of my horrible junior high glasses and had switched to contacts. What a relief. You don't even know!

He passed me the note in the hall one day..."Do you want to go with me to the Spectacular? Yes or No"
And I was sort of dating a different senior that year. Which made it even weirder.
I had to borrow a dress from a lady in my church that she had worn as a bridesmaid. Luckily for me, it was a pretty cute dress and fit perfectly. Granted, I couldn't breathe for most of the night, but that was ok.

The picture is not of my date. We were standing so far apart from each other in that picture it wasn't worth taking and I'm not sure if I still even have it anymore!


This is of me and my youth pastor. And so this brings back memories of his teaching and leadership and mentoring of my life. He was my surrogate father, my friend and my counselor. His wife showed the greatest example of what a wife should be and was always encouraging of her husband. I don't think I would be the person I am today without his continual support and guidance.


He also taught me that when I have a huge life crisis that no one on earth can actually help me. I have to entrust my life and concerns to my God and let the burden fall on Him alone. It seemed as I went through high school that every time I felt as though my life were going to completely fall to pieces neither him nor my other trusted adult counselor were available. Once I had given it to God, they were back in town and able to guide and help me work through any advice I needed to be given.

Now that you know the whole background of the picture, you may commence making fun of it. I can take it.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh man! The Spec! You just brought back a LOT of memories that I thought I had thoroughly repressed by now! LOL I've got plenty of dorky pics (but at the time we thought were SO cool) from those fun times as well. In fact, I believe I even have some that include you all dolled up with a certain Mr Widrig. (who, by the way, is engaged now!) Wow- those were the good ole days- err.. something like that. ;)

Anonymous said...

LOL I do remember those- and I still have those too! I'll have to scan those spec pics I have and send them to you. Perhaps I'll get a chance to tonight. Although we have another premarital counseling session tonight, so chances are I'll forget. But I will try!

anne said...

NO!? It's not possible?! Do tell...I must hear all about it!

Oh yes, we have plenty of dorky pictures. Though you more than me, of course. I believe I was always cute. And way cuter than said Widrig. Sheesh. Do you remember those pictures we took when you came up to visit us in MI? I was happy in the picture with you but looked surly next to him!? HA!

Jen said...

Hilarious. Loved the pic. I found some old pictures of me with red lipstick and braces a few days ago. Definitely worth a laugh or two.

BeckyD said...

Ohhhh!! Annie with PD!!! I love it! Those were definitely the good ole days! It's nice to hear from Shawn! I ought to be able to dig up some too...I think I even have one of me and Anne together. I ought to get them out and reminisce!

anne said...

Ok Beck, that's not fair. You never called me that back then and you don't get to do it now...you can make fun of the date, but really I think that's just going over the edge... ;)

You guys just need to email me the pics...maybe I'll start a whole new section. "Cheesy bbca pics." :)

Jean said...

hehe. You're so cute!! :) You're so brave sharing high school pictures!!

anne said...

Only because that one wasn't too bad. I was relatively cute in that one...There are plenty that I am not brave enough to share. It's bad enough I have to see them!

BeckyD said...

I know I didn't call you that back then...it made you sound so young...you were always, "Anne with the 'e'." Like Anne of Green Gables. I remember how mcuh you loved to read so I'm sure it hasn't changed much (as I see in some of your previous posts). I used to love to read to...still do, it's just that now my book repertoire (sp?) consists of Dr. Seuss, Little Golden Books and Goodnight Moon! :) Quite the change from what I'm used to!

anne said...

The funny thing is that I'm trying to start stocking up on my Suess & Golden Books now... ;)

Another beautiful thing about garage sales...

BeckyD said...

I totally agree about the garage sales! That's where we got most of ours. We went to a garage sale in OK that had stacks of Dr. Seuss and Golden Books around. They sold us to them for $2 a stack. The Dr. Seuss stack had about 12-15 copies and some of them I haven't seen since I was a little girl reading them at my Grandma's...they were old then and weren't in print anymore. The Golden Books stack had about 25-30 books and were almost all old ones too...the same ones my Mom had when she was little. We were also able to pick up another box of books (before we had Hannah...just had lots of kids over to the house) for $5 for some of the newer books.

anne said...

What good finds!! That's excellent!!