"All Together Now"

They say your college years are some of the best years of your life. Being over a decade away from that time period, I can do nothing but agree whole-heartily. I met some amazing people that are still a part of my life today. Facebook helps facilitate this but I would like to believe social networking isn't the only thing keeping personal relationships alive.

When Suzy and I graduated high school, she enrolled at UMCP and I left the state to head to Morehouse College. We stayed in touch obviously and got back together (for a 2nd time)soon after. While at Maryland, Suzy joined Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. I loved going to the house to hang out the Pi girls. Every time I came to visit, her sisters were always welcoming and very nice. And it helped the house was next to Papa Johns!!

As with all groups of people, there were a few girls that Suzy bonded with immediately and became a very close knit group of girls. Toni, Maggie, Michelle, Angie, Cristin, Katie, Sarah, and Suzy became inseparable. They maintained a strong relationship throughout college that is still going strong today. One of the highlights of Suzy and I getting back together for good was the Annual College Party Sarah and Tim Bell host. We partied like it was 1999, LITERALLY! In addition, they would have a girls Xmas gathering to catch up. But now that we are all grown, with families of our own, that tradition has slowly evaporated.(College Party is still going strong!)




That's where Toni comes in. You already know how fabulous she is from previous posts, but she managed to organize a brunch with the girls and the kiddos. More importantly, the men were included. We descended upon Carlson Farm Road, the home of Katie and John and their 2 boys. Add Michelle and Dave Webb +4, Sarah and Tim +2, Maggie and Joe Shannon +2, Angie and Keith Pion +2, and that makes for a FUN, FUN SUNDAY!! We missed Cristin and Shawn and their daughter but they were with us in spirit!

Everyone brought a dish or two and we ate like we were refugees. There were quiches, focaccia bread sammies,pasta salad, french toast, fresh fruit, mimosas, and the most important thing, Pabst Blue Ribbon!!! Very little remained for leftovers. It was great just catching up, re-living our wedding, and talking about future endeavours. This is sure to be an annual tradition!

The College Party and the AOPI Brunch are two ways that we hold on to our youth and re-capture those memories from 4517 College Ave. and 8809 38th Ave. in College Park, Maryland. And hopefully a way to reverse the trend and make these the best years of our life!