Pat's parents recently attempted to organize years of their childrens lives that had taken over the upstairs of their house. Everything was sorted into boxes and given to the appropriate child. Judging from the abundance of space in Pat's box he wasn't the type to keep any of his projects, actually I don't think he was the type to
do any of his projects. It had more love letters and baseball cards than school work but I loved going through it.
Starting with my personal favorite, a snippet from his fifth grade interview:
.....When he grows up he wants to become a history teacher. He wants that career because he makes good grades in that subject. "My best subject is social studies." Pat said proudly.
For a guy his age he has already thought of marriage. Pat is not ready for it. Pat clearly explains his answer, " I haven't found the right women yet." He likes girls who are blond, blue-eyed and thin. He has had plenty of girlfriends but he still wants one now.
....This young, generous, handsome, talented young man, as he would describe himself, that has had all these happenings in his life has only one thing to say, "hasta lavesta baby!"
Fifth grade, really?! Well, I might not have blue eyes and at 7 months pregnant I'm not thin but at least I have blond hair!
Up next, a copy of our school newspaper. No, Pat did not write for the paper, he was on the cover.
The local news station had a segment each week known as Rick Henrys Double Dog Dare. Pat's sophomore year he challenged the local sportscaster to a lawn mower race. They raced around the school grounds during one of our lunch periods. If I remember correctly everyone was excused for lunch early so they could watch. I remember walking outside, peering over the crowd of people and returning inside. I wasn't going to spend my lunch break outside, in the rain watching some guy ride a stupid lawn mower! Anyway, he won and that became one of his claims to fame.
The beginning of every school year students were given an agenda. It was our handbook, calendar, assignment pad and hall pass.
This was Pat's from his senior year. With the exception of a few pages that had been doodled on by girls the assignment portion of his agenda was EMPTY! The only pages that were almost completely full were the ones in the back, his hall pass! I have to say, it seemed like every time I was in the hallways during class I ran into him....
I also noticed the first page had been scribbled on...wait that isn't scribbling those are initials JS and CS (his parents don't read this blog or I probably wouldn't be sharing this part), Jon Stier and Christie Stier! Honestly I can't believe he was still practicing by his senior year, I would think he had it down by then.
I am sure my parents are reading this thanking their lucky stars I didn't date this boy in high school! When we did start dating 5 years later I learned that Pat is a sentimental person. He pulled out his "memory box" on one of my first trips to visit him. It was packed with ticket stubs, wristbands, every note he ever received, post cards, and pictures. I was surprised when I pull out an envelope of pictures - pictures of me! They were taken in 1999 on a disposable camera with our best friends. I remember taking them but I never knew he got them developed and I would have never guessed he kept them! :)
Ahh the memories!
