Reunion Dinner Thoughts

I forgot how much I value honest, intimate conversation. The dinner was fantastic - wonderful food: gazpacho, pasta puttanesca, and spumoni. Pat and Kirstin are such gracious hosts, and their boys were so much fun. We all traded photos and I passed around my scrapbook. It's the first time I'd really shown it off. I put a lot of time into it and people appreciated that, which was nice to hear.

The crowd thinned out pretty early - maybe around 9pm. Pat, Joey, Spencer, Bryce, and I sat around for a while longer talking. Then it was down to Joey and Pat and Kirstin and me. They chatted about the boys for a bit, then Kirstin went to bed. Joey and I talked about our summer and moving to school and Pat listened attentively. I told her about my experience on the way up to Ames. I told her about how much I didn't like Iowa State last year. I mentioned in brief the reasons why, although I left out the major detail. Then I listened to her talk about how she's been feeling since she got back. She was so honest, like she always has been. I didn't know what to say really, so mostly I just listened too. Then I asked Pat about school. He avoided the question quite nicely.

It was so refreshing to experience such honesty and openness in conversation. And it was really nice to be able to talk and have someone listen. Sometimes, that all you need. No advise. No input. No words of "encouragement" or "support." Just someone to listen and care. Joey and Pat did that. Laura did earlier this summer. And it means so much. Just to know that someone cares enough to let me talk about whatever it is I'm feeling. Not judge me. Not tell me how to feel. Not tell me what to do. Just listen. So thank you. I entered Ames with dread and I left in peace. How wonderful.