Saturday was my 20th high school reunion. In fact it was exactly 20 years ago this week I graduated high school from the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. My big goal at the time was getting down to Myrtle Beach with my friends and we barely slept, leaving for the beach at 6:45 am that next morning.

It was a summer of fun, everyone was heading off to college and buying all the things they'd need. But in general there were no worries since the concerns of undergrad life weren't known and high school was over. I think it was the last time I was completely carefree.

Seeing so many old friends was fun. People have taken different paths in life, with parenting too. Some have little ones just born and others already have college students. We scheduled a family day on an athletic field at our old high school and grads piled out with their kids in tow for lunch, sports, a bounce house and socializing. My ten year was the 'photographer' and wandered around asking people if she could take their photos - she did a good job.

It was amazing to see people I spend years with are now parents. So many of them were frozen in my mind as 18 year olds, not 38 year old mothers of three. It was wonderful to see all of these kids from people we grew up with in school. There were a lot of parents chasing after children, keep them cool and occupied.

I'm no longer that carefree 17 year old from that summer. I have a child and husband who I love plus a mortgage and job. There are burdens and responsibilities for me to manage. The trade off has been worth it though, being a wife and mother has been as rewarding as I could have ever imagined.

Tonight our daughter went to stay at grandma and grandpa's for the night. An evening to be spoiled was more than enough to get her to happily head on over. We chuckled today at the family day at how many kids would be at their grandparents for the actual reunion that night.

The reunion itself was lots of fun. We had a nice turnout and people enjoyed the evening. For me, it was nice to remember that 17 year old me and all her friends for at least one day. But truthfully, I already miss my child and can't wait for my folks to bring her back.