High School Reunion Blog

There's a reason why "Hindsight is 20/20" is a popular cliché. Everything looks much clearer when you have time to look back and analyze a difficult situation, thinking about it rationally rather than emotionally. In the case of deciding whether or not Dennis should leave the reunion house, I don't think my initial opinion that he should go would have been different, but I do know that my actions and reactions to the other members of the house (and their differing opinions) would have been different. I do believe that if Dennis would have woke up the next morning and simply apologized, few of us would have felt his apology was sincere. Although the following day was a grueling and upsetting process, I think it was necessary for us to get to the point where there was a successful resolution.  

There is no defending Dennis' actions and behavior from the night before, and when Dennis began to apologize, it seems like he was going to chalk it up to having too much to drink. When Shalonda stops him to say he needs to own his actions, I believe what followed in that moment was a sincere, genuine apology. Dennis said that he was sorry, admitted saying some things that were really inappropriate, and that he hoped she could forgive him. I don't believe Shalonda wanted Dennis to stay until the moment those words came out of Dennis' mouth and that she could judge in that moment that he was sincerely sorry. And when Shalonda decided to accept his apology, I think many of the people (including myself) decided to follow her lead.

I was most upset about the way he treated Shalonda, Heather and Liz – and to see all three of them accept his apology and forgive his behavior made me willing to give him a second chance, too. Shalonda said that he deserved the opportunity to be better, and by staying at the house, Dennis could now show the rest of us the person that Manny, Scott W., Jenny and Tyrone know deep down.  

The conflicting part for me was to have one of my closest friends at the house, Scott H., follow the groups' decision to have Dennis stay. He was embarrassed to be a part of and associated with this situation. It wasn't because Dennis was staying that Scott wanted to leave -- at this point, I think he had already made his decision (actually, I think a few of us wanted to leave, not so much because of Dennis, but because it was an emotionally draining situation and not what you'd call a peaceful vacation!). Scott stuck to his morals and what was right for him. I know he respected everyone's opinion and stance on the situation, whether he agreed with them or not. He was one of the most respected people at the reunion, and his departure for me was the low point of my time in Kauai.  

I think there's another cliché that goes something like, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Scott H. stood for what he believed in, as did many of us.

Side note: Scott H. and Dennis are friends now and had the chance to catch up when Scott came to town to watch the first episode of the show last month. Additionally, I have been to Montana to visit Scott twice: Once with my daughters for a vacation at the dude ranch he was working at, and again in October with my girlfriend for Scott and Josie's wedding reception! 

As draining as the "Dennis drama" and Scott H. leaving the reunion was, I was thankful to have that incident behind us. I think our hopes and thoughts turned to the future of the reunion and the imperative need to have some fun! Thanks to Drew ( “The Band Geek” ) showing up, some lighter moments were on the way.  

The “Secret Admirer” notes and gifts Lynette had been receiving had us all wondering and guessing who it might be. We had fun throwing out names and teasing Lynette about who could still have feelings for her 20 years later. The night before Drew arrived, Lynette was soaking in the Jacuzzi while describing the type of guy she's into. I don't think the type of guy she described has a lot in common with Drew, but you can tell she was flattered (albeit a little freaked out) that he'd come all the way to Kauai to express his feelings for her.

Before Drew's Hall Pass with Lynette, Dennis handicapped Drew's chances with her at "zero to no chance." In between the awkward silences after their massage, Drew shared a few of his past dating mishaps. You could tell from the look on Lynette's face that she was more than surprised at some the topic of conversation. I'm sure he was nervous, but you gotta give it to Drew for being courageous, honest and just being himself. Hopefully he'll get another chance with Lynette where the "first date" pressure is gone.  

As for Drew's new roommates -- you can tell he's in for an adventure there. I think Dennis and Manny are a little more wild and crazy than the type of people Drew's used to hanging out with, but then maybe hanging out with these guys will help him relax a bit. 

The HSR house is back to having a little bit of fun for the time being. But I can guarantee you, there's even bigger drama to come. Hopefully next time I can view it as a spectator on the sidelines rather than finding myself smack in the middle of it!