Part of my nightly routine is asking my darling daughters what they did at “school” today. Kenzlie (almost 19 months old) babbles in baby talk while Tysie tattles on each of her 2-4 year old classmates. Everyone knows 2 ½ year olds love to report back all the naughty things they observed throughout the playful day not to mention spill the beans on everything their parents do.
After dinner it’s baths, books and rocking chair songs. We recently moved the girls into one room so after stories first I rock my youngest then once she’s just about asleep I lay her in her crib to sooth herself to sleep and I sweep up my oldest. She’s been patiently waiting for her turn while thumbing through her favorite board books. We talk some more, sing, hum and slowly rock. Once her breaths deepened tonight my mind drifted back to work for a second and I remembered that the teens I work with start school tomorrow. The programs I advise are made up mostly of seniors in high school so I couldn’t help but think they are probably excitedly preparing for their special first day. Naturally I thought about what I was doing the night before the first day of my senior year…
An attempt at tradition
It was August 1999… I had laid out my white, royal blue and silver puffy painted t-shirt (decorated to match my 4 best friends) with “Senior-itas” across the chest, my name on the back and ’00 on the sleeves. My high waisted, super small cutoff jean shorts were next to a new pair of Old Navy flip flops. I was about to start my senior year – one of the best of my teens years. Next to the spirited first day of school outfit was a pile of black workout garments. But don’t be fooled; those dark clothes were not for a morning workout, rather set out for an attempt to continue a great tradition done by incoming seniors at my Alma Mater.
Earlier that day my friends and I piled in my rusty blue beat up 1987 Nissan Sentra hatchback and headed to Wal-mart to stock up on cheap toilet paper and loads of candy. We had all agreed to stay up late, dress in dark clothes and make our way for what was going to be the best TPing job in Redwood High School history.
I could spend this entire night giving you details about the white out job we did, the police chase ending in a ditch, and the hours spent taking down every piece of TP we had showered across campus. I could tell you how much we laughed and I could tell you how awesome of a job we did, but only these eyes, two other pairs and a handful of cops have the luxury of remembering the work of 3 wild 16 year old girls – I assure you an amazing sight it was. I nearly cried not from being caught, but just thinking that none of our classmates were going to enjoy our white wonderland on the first day of school like we had planned. As we took down each draped strip of TP (per the VPD’s demand) I sighed and the police officers giggled and sipped their cheap 7-11 coffee.
I’ll never forget sitting on the curb between two of my bravest BFF’s as the sun came up that morning and the police officers continued to contact our parents. After the other girls were picked up, one officer followed my beat up car home and escorted me to the door. Before my pigtails could hit the pillow my alarm clock sounded and it was officially the first day of my senior year. That wild night set the tone for my entire 12th grade. I may not remember what we did in chemistry and I surely didn’t leave that place with an outstanding GPA, but boy do I remember the football games, the after parties, wearing his lettermen jacket, homecoming court, countless sleepovers with the girls, sneaking out, sharing secrets, ditching school, matching outfits and much more!
So to those teens that are about to start their first day of their senior year I hope you make it count, live it up (safely) and ENJOY!
<3 Hollie
Class of 2000!
Love your photos!
ReplyDelete