Graduating Memories

This past Saturday, I watched the East Burke High School Class of 2005 walk across the stage at their graduation.

The entire week leading up to graduation, memories began flooding back. I remember my first year. That year, I had my first crush on a girl. She was in my English class, and was a cute blonde cheerleader I had never met before. However, I was too shy. I was always too shy. I never said anything, so of course, I got nowhere. That year, I solidified my role as a band nerd. But it was ok. My old friends already knew this. Joel, Lauren, Amber, Brandon, Marc, and of course Taylor, knew my passion and talent for music. Thank goodness I was still with them. My hardest memory was that of my unsuccessful audition for drum major. Boy, that hit me hard. The only thing I could do, was keep going to the next year.

Then I remembered my second year, my sophomore year. That crush from the year before was still there. But it wasn't as strong as it once was. She had changed her hair color. Now it was dark. Sometime that year, the crush just went away. But a new one formed. I kept up in my classes, making all A's again. This time I successfully auditioned for drum major. I would be leading the band, and be on the track. Closer to my cheerleader pals. And to think, I auditioned not for me, but to get the attention of others. To become someone that girls might want to date. I just knew, that when I got drum major, a girlfriend wouldn't be far behind. But of course, I was wrong. I approached my junior year with quiet optimism, cautious and reserved.

My junior was pretty good. Of course, I found another crush. Ok, so more than one. The first was a dark-haired clarinet player (I think my first crush turned me on to dark hair). She was older than I was, but just by a year. She had a younger sister too that my brother liked. I always thought it would have been cool if brothers dated sisters...but that didn't happen. Of course, once again, I was shy and didn't say anything. Can you see a pattern here? However, our friendship did develop. And we became close. So close, that the next year, we went to the prom together...just as friends of course. I shook up the band world with my caring style of leadership, my enthusiam for what I was doing, and of course...my totally white dance moves. It was this year though that I met....her. I met her in Dr. Robert McAdams class. She had long dark hair. Tall, thin, great legs, angelic face, and a smile that to this day stops me in my tracks. We sat near each other, kind of. My friend Brandon, lucky dog, sat right in front of her. Every day he got back and shoulder rubs...and I got nothing but jealous. We talked, her and I, and became friends. I don't think I ever touched her until the last day of school that year when she hugged me. I still remember that hug. Of course, I never told her I liked her...which, looking back, was a mistake.

My senior year was the biggest and best. The band played for the Carolina Panthers and won the Carousel Parade. I was an awesome drum major and the band, crowd, and cheerleaders loved me. I was in the top of my class, thanks to making all A's every year. I got scholarship after scholarship, including full rides to Appalachian State and East Carolina University. I had good friends, both new and old, and I still had..her. Once again, we found each other in Mac's class. This time, however, I was the one who sat in front of her. I was going to be the lucky one this year. We grew closer and I got a little bolder. I started to play in her hair. You wouldn't believe the courage it took, and how long I had to build it up before I could even do that. Still, I was just a friend. Never once saying how I really felt. She became the best girlfriend I never dated. In fact, she still is.

The day of graduation, my heart was heavy. I was ending a chapter in my life. A chapter which I didn't want to end, because I had just really started living it. I worked for all these friends, had these feelings, loved so much, and I was told I had to leave them. But I went against the system. I hung onto my friends. I held onto my dark-haired sweetheart. In fact, when the world said we should have drifted apart...I said screw the world. We've gotten closer.

Taylor, is still my best friend. I still go over to his house and am constantly doing things with him and his family. Of course, he beat me in the girlfriend race...

Marc, is still as crazy as ever, but I don't care. We're friends, and we've got each other's back. We are heroes...

Brandon and company have scattered with the wind, but I still talk to them. For my friends, I'll go as far as the wind blows to find them...

Lauren, one of my biggest fans and best friends. We still talk. We still care about each other. The first girl, not in my family, to ever tell me she actually loves me..and so far the only one to. To her, will I ever be loyal and true. I will support her with all that is in me. Should she go to the end of the Earth...there will I also be beside her, ready to catch her if she falls and carry her when she's tired.

Of course, there's my dark haired beauty. My East Carolina sweetheart, Alesha. Between us there is a special friendship, which many envy. God has sent me his best angel by sending me her. The rest of my life I will love, cherish, protect, and care for this angel of mine..no matter what happens or where life takes either one of us. She is one of those special people who you truly feel connect to and love. And when you find one of those people, you hang on to them with everything you have in you. With every ounce of strength you have you hold on. We will always be friends, and for that I know I am truly blessed.

All these memories, these feelings, came rushing back as I stood there at graduation. I was so overwhelmed, I had to go back to the car, sit there, and cry. High school was filled with so many good times, but I still have regrets. Now, I must make up for lost time and start living like there's no tomorrow, but still planning for the future.

GOOD LUCK CLASS OF 05!!

I love you all, (especially "you").

~May God keep you this and every night.