DO

call special friends before the reunion to arrange extra time together to catch up — perhaps arrive a day early. Then, you’ll be free to circulate at the reunion instead of talking to just one or two people all night.

DON'T

take your entire library of family albums and vacation pictures spanning the past 20 years. But, DO take along a few pictures of your kids (and, of course, grand and great-grandkids, where appropriate). Old friends are really happy to see them. And, you’d like to see (a few) of their pictures.

DO

indulge yourself in recollection. Pack yearbooks and scrapbooks if you’re driving to the reunion. If there’s going to be an informal get-together like a picnic, take the books along to share with others who will appreciate being reminded of common memories. It’s not suggested that you drag the books to a formal dinner dance.

DON’T

take your spouse and forget about them.  While they are able to entertain themselves, they represent the life that you are proudly telling your classmates about.   Both of you will have a better time and come away with better memories if you include them in the conversations.  You will be able to look back on your 30^th with fondness if you can share your memories with your spouse after the reunion is over.

DON'T

forget to thank your reunion committee members who have spent a lot of time locating everyone and putting it all together.   

DO

remember that when people exclaim, “You haven’t changed a bit,” they’re only dealing with externals. No doubt about it: you have changed and likely for the better. A reunion will return you to scenes of your adolescence, when you worried about wardrobe, hair and complexion. By the 30th reunion, you’ll still be wondering about hair (where it’s going), and your complexion (where the lines are coming from). No matter which reunion it is, you should use the opportunity to reflect upon where you’ve been, how far you’ve come ... and, of course, where you’re going.