Saw my favorite teacher of all time today–Ms. Anne Inge–over at Murphy High.

Quick tour of the school, lunch in the cafeteria, lots of cute kids running around…here’s a shout-out to the two Ellas (via Brian Campbell and Adam Davis) and to Ross and Melissa’s curly-haired Jacob. Speaking of Brian, his wife didn’t seem the least bit surprised when I mentioned I’d had a big old crush on him in high school; apparently, I wasn’t alone! And seeing Eric Brewer reminded me that I’d had a crush on him during my two-month stint at Mobile Christian (I left that school when I got spanked by the football coach–at the age of 13!–for wearing orange socks to school); he was nice enough not to remember all the ways I probably embarrassed myself.

Great gumbo at the home of an old friend, warm Alabama afternoon. So interesting to see what people are up to: Cassie Norris became a Navy pilot, Joy Pugh works for Wolfgang Puck, Celine B is a photo editor at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Barclay is an art curator, Chris A. owns a record label. Lawyers and doctors, musicians, folks who have managed to raise five children, lots of creative energy. Last time we all saw each other, we were just these kids with bad hairdos and the usual teenage angst. (Come to think of it, last time we all saw each other, no one had ever heard of the Internet, and the ipod was just some dream of the future). Time has rendered a kind of distillation, people’s essential natures boiled down so they become more completely what their talents hinted at 20 years ago.

I don’t recall liking high school much, but have loved seeing everyone and hearing their stories. Funny what twenty years can do to take the edge off.

And p.s. Kalyn Chapman is still smokin’ hot.