In 1998, I turned 50. I was residing in California – keenly aware of [still] being very single. I’d certainly had my share of fun over the years. A classmate called regarding a multi-class reunion brewing in New Jersey. It was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Morris Catholic High School, organized by the first 5 graduating classes, 1961-1965. Pat begged our Class of 1966 in by volunteering my services to design the reunion booklet. (Hey, why not?)
I opened the Class of 1963 envelope one day, and happened upon the dossier submitted by “Geri Ryan Robbins – Gardiner, Maine – Realtor – 3 (grown) children – ran my first marathon at age 50!” She’d checked the $25 box, indicating one attendee. Conspicuously missing was “Name of Spouse” Hmmm...
“Geri Ryan” certainly loomed large in my freshman year. Alas, she was a senior. Her boyfriends had cars. I had acne. But I did manage to introduce myself and we wrote little notes, exchanging them in the hallway. That’s about as far I got (but by God – I was a gonna be writer!)
The reunion was Saturday, November 27, 1998 – in the afterglow of Thanksgiving. We met, shared a drink, a dance (I tipped the DJ handsomely for Sinatra’s “The Second Time Around”) exchanged stories and email addresses. Once again, we began exchanging notes!
A client in Atlanta summoned me back to the east coast in January. Subsequently, I enjoyed a wintery (but warm) invite and visit in Maine. In February, I invited her out to California (a break from her Maine “win-tah”.) The Sunday before, Dierdre O’Donohue, host of KLSX’s Breakfast with the Beatles, asked listeners to send in requests for her Valentine’s Day show. Why not ... I sent one – with a brief note about this budding reunion retro-romance. My note had one chance in a million in Los Angeles radio.
The following Sunday, while driving down Ocean Blvd. to the Queen Mary’s Valentine Brunch, we heard
Dierdre: “Now here’s a good one – I love this: Buddy Doyle down in Long Beach is hosting his high school sweetheart all the way from Gardiner, Maine. So Geri Ryan Robbins, I hope you’re listening to this one from Buddy to you: (The Beatles) “If I fell in love with you, would you promise to be true ...”
In March, we met in Boston for a Celtics game – on St. Patrick’s Day! The next day, we drove down to New Jersey to visit with friends. We stopped at the high school “for old time’s sake”. In the hallway, I passed her a little note that simply read: “Will you marry me?” She took out a pen, clicked it, and wrote “Yes!” I’d (optimistically) arranged for a (current) freshman laddie and a senior lassie to present her with the traditional Irish Claddagh ring and Morris Catholic’s blue-and-white flowers (because by God – I was a romantic!)
I highly endorse reunions of any stripe. Thanks to that one, I now reside in Maine – keenly aware of being no longer single, very married – and very, very happy.
2025