Mansfield Graduation- 12 Years Later

It's cliche to say, but, really, where does the time go? 12 years ago today, I graduated from Mansfield University. It was the culmination not only of my education, but the relationships that I would carry with me for the rest of time. Looking through old photos, I'm reminded of people who I wish I were still close to, but more importantly, to those I am still tight with, who remain as close as family.

So what would the 23-year-old me think of where life has led the 35-year-old me? I'd like to think that he'd be fairly happy. Even in those days, I wasn't some crazy dreamer-and the fact that I was expecting my first child 3 months after graduation kept me in check. No, '97 BK would see that I was married to a beautiful woman, working in baseball and still friends with many of the people in those pictures, and he'd smile and pass me his bottle of Cisco. And what would I want to say to him? Only two things- enjoy your fleeting moments in the greatest place you will ever live. And watch out for that Kim girl.

Some pics from memory lane:

Ten Years

There are two events that will happen this year that will make me feel extremely old. One is my daughter Abby turning 10 years old later this summer. The other occurs tomorrow, the tenth anniversary of my college graduation from Mansfield. How is this possible? How could time have gone by so quickly? It seems like just yesterday that one of the greatest weekends of my life was taking place. Friends and family started arriving on Friday, May 9th, and the prelude to the "Party of the Century" on May 10th was pretty damn good. And May 10th, 1997, ranks as one of the 5 best days of my life. I have never, before or since, been surrounded by so much positive and loving energy.

The bright side to this particular anniversary is that as much as things have changed over the last ten years, the important things have stayed the same. I am still very close to most of our core MU group, and the fact that the majority of them are in my wedding this fall is a testament to the strength of our friendships. And driving into Mansfield is still a religious experience. It is a small town with two lights and very little to do. But it's MY town, the place where I really grew up, where I learned more in 3 years than I have in the rest of my life combined. And it's still the place I can go when life is overwhelming and find a little peace. Ten years that seem like a lifetime ago, yet seem like just yesterday at the same time.