It’s been a wild ride since high school.  I am constantly amazed at the success of my graduating class at good ol’ Rydell Hi … er, Dowling High School.  Seems the Class of ’88 (the largest graduating class in DHS’ history, mind you) has gone on to bigger and better.  We’ve got several well-known photographers and artists.  We’ve got a three-time Grammy-award winner.  And there are more doctors, surgeons and lawyers than you can shake a stick at.

One of those legal eagles is my friend Peggy Bettendorf.  From Day 1, she was always focused on getting in to the right college and doing well for herself.   Even though she was a lousy basketball player, she played high school ball just to make herself look like a well-rounded student.   We bonded over four years of French class.   I distinctly remember meeting her on my first day — when we got to pick our pseudo-French names.  I was Benoit.  She was Gabrielle.  She called me Benny.  I called her Gabby.   I didn’t even learn her real name until sophomore year … go figure.

At the time, I watched Peggy intently … not in a stalker-ish way, but just to admire her calm coolness.  She hung with the cool chicks and I was DETERMINED to be included in that group even if it killed me.  Good thing Peggy found me slightly amusing … and still does.

During our senior year, half our French class went traipsing through Europe.  Peggy, of course, was our group leader … me thinks begrudgingly, but whatever.  Somehow she managed to keep us free-spirited 17 year-olds alive for a majority of the trip.   Mostly hungover, but alive.

Always the over-achiever, she went on to get her law degree and now works doing employment law in Ohio.  Even more impressive … Peggy is now a partner in her firm, married and has a beautiful one year-old to boot.  I get to Ohio every once and awhile and got the chance to reconnect a few weeks ago over brunch.   We shamelessly and relentlessly mocked everyone we knew.   It’s, like, mandatory or something.    Over a frittata, she confessed she went out and bought a fancy-schmancy new sundress for the occasion.  Seems everything she owns currently has spit-up on it – courtesy of the bambino.   Who knew?  Even though she’s a corporate muckety-muck, she still keeps that cool chick aura about her – playing it close to the vest.   Her big guffaw of a laugh is the only thing that gives her away.

So here’s to you, Pegasus – you classy lassy!   Thanks for being a shiny, happy person in my world.  And kudos for always keeping me in line.   I still look up to you and admire you … baby vomit, notwithstanding.