The 1972 high school graduates received an invitation to a school reunion, more than 50 years after their graduation. They were all excited to attend. Someone unexpected showed up and reminded them of something they had long forgotten.
On a bright, sunny day, 68-year-old Erica Souza received a beautiful invitation addressed to her as a 1972 graduate of Blessed Sacrament School.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Unsplash
“Wow, it’s an invitation to a high school reunion!” she told her husband. “This is exciting! Who’s hosting it?”
“What’s so strange about it?”
“Fifty years passed, and there were none of these before, not in the decade, not at the silver wedding… nothing.”
“Maybe they agreed to meet after 50 years,” her husband suggested.
“Maybe… but don’t you think I would remember? It’s weird,” he wondered.
***
Alejandro Yamamoto received the same invitation, and also thought it was strange that they had never met before.
But his wife was excited. “It doesn’t matter why it’s after so long. It should be exciting to see your old classmates, right?”
“Well, we’re all older. Some of them may not be alive anymore, and our teachers… well, some of them were old, old in 1972 when we graduated. But I won’t deny that I’m curious,” Alejandro commented.
“Let’s go together. You can ask questions there, and hey, you can also brag about your business, your family, your success…”
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Shutterstock
He laughed and gave her a kiss. “You know what? You’re right. Let’s go.” He added, “I wonder if Mrs. Hernandez is going. She was one of my teachers, and she was our class tutor last year. She really encouraged us to follow our dreams and supported us when other teachers were dismissive of our concerns,” he described.
“What concerns?”
“It was the 70s. We wanted to change the world… For someone who is the son of immigrants like me, support was very important, you know?”
“Oh, that’s even more interesting! Well, you overcame prejudice, racism and other things to become successful. That’s something you can be proud of.”
***
The scene was repeated throughout the city and surrounding areas. Someone had taken the trouble to find them all. The event was in two weeks.
The invitation was for a party at a nearby beach. Some former students who remained friends over the years talked about it: no one had any idea who was organizing it.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Shutterstock
In any case, everyone was excited. Even people who lived far away were ready to travel.
The party started around 6pm on Saturday. Guests started to arrive. Retro music was playing, and hugs and surprises were exchanged at the changes that the years had brought.
All were in their 60s, so many shared photos of their young grandchildren and talked about their extensive careers in various businesses.
It was a typical high school alumni reunion, though the attendees were older than they usually are at such events. Sadly, some of their former classmates did not make it to the evening due to illness, and two of them had already left this world.
“I wish we had gotten together sooner. We should have had a reunion at 20,” someone told Erica Souza.
“That’s what I was saying to my husband. How come we’ve never had a meeting before?” she replied.
“I told my wife the same thing. It’s strange that 50 years later, someone finally decided to organize a reunion like this,” said Alejandro, who joined the conversation. People around him nodded. “I mean… I wish we could have seen some of our teachers again.”
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Shutterstock
“Oh yes, I would have liked to know what happened to Mrs. Hernandez,” Erica said. “I even cried on her shoulder last year, she was the one who held me up through the stress of the college entrance exam.”
Soon, other former students joined in to talk about the virtues of Mrs. Hernandez. They all had a good memory to share about her.
“Do you remember what he made us do on our prom day?” Enrique Cortez chimed in. Erica and Alejandro frowned in an effort to remember. Suddenly, the music stopped, and the sound of a booming microphone interrupted their conversation.
Everyone turned to a makeshift stage near the beach entrance and saw a 20-year-old woman, standing and smiling broadly. Something about her face was incredibly familiar, but Erica couldn’t quite put her finger on why.
“Good evening, everyone. I’m glad to see you here at your school reunion, although you’re probably wondering who I am. My name is Elizabeth Hernandez, and my late grandmother is Adelina Hernandez, who unfortunately can’t be here today.”
People recognized the name immediately. Adelina Hernandez had been her teacher for the past year. “I know my grandmother would be very happy to see you all here, and that’s why she gave me this assignment before she peacefully passed away a few years ago. Because she made a promise to all of you five decades ago.”
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Pexels
The old classmates frowned. However, Alejandro understood what was going on. He knew why they were gathered there after so long. Mrs. Hernandez had promised them something on prom night and she kept that promise even after her passing.
“But I’ll let my grandmother speak for herself,” Elizabeth continued, unfolding a sheet of paper in her hands.
“My dear 1972 graduates, this is your teacher, Mrs. Hernandez, speaking, although at times I felt more like a mother to all of you. Even after you graduated, I continued to feel that way.”
Erica felt the water pooling in her eyes, and as Elizabeth continued, they could hear the pleasant sounds of the waves and the seagulls flying around. Night was already falling, tinting the sky an orange hue and making everything seem even more romantic.
“I hope you remember that 50 years ago I gathered you together on your graduation night and gave you one last assignment. Some of you protested, but I hope it was worth it today.”
“I asked them to write a short letter, describing their dreams for the future and what they imagined their life would be like 50 years later. I promised to deliver those letters, but I’m afraid I won’t be there. So, my granddaughter will do it for me.”
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Shutterstock
A few echoes of happiness spread through the crowd, eager to see what they had written so long ago. But Elizabeth had not finished reading.
“I hope you won’t be disappointed after reading your own words. If you won’t, then I can rest in peace knowing that I guided, inspired and encouraged you to be exactly the person you wanted to be.”
“Also, if you remember your time in my classes with any fondness, then I know I was a good teacher and left a mark on the world. Thank you ,” the granddaughter finished reading. She and other family members of the late teacher began to hand out the letters.
Erica nearly tore up her letter as tears escaped her eyes, and was amazed that her life was almost exactly as she expected. “I achieved everything I wanted when I was a little girl,” she told her husband and hugged him tightly.
Alejandro laughed, reading his own letter. “I wanted to be a politician, can you imagine?” he told his wife.
“Of course, I can imagine that!” his wife laughed as they continued reading.
His fate was completely different from what he expected, but he was not disappointed at all. His life had been even better.
The rest of her classmates cried, laughed, and joked about the letters. Many approached Elizabeth to thank her for reuniting them, which must have been difficult considering some were scattered across the country. She was happy to fulfill her grandmother’s wish.
Image for illustrative purposes. | Photo: Shutterstock
Soon enough, the music started again, and the party became lively, but before they started dancing and going crazy, Alejandro took the microphone, raising his glass. “To Mrs. Hernandez and her family,” he offered, and everyone echoed his words with cheers and applause.
For the rest of their lives, the 1972 graduates marveled at the idea that their teacher had kept her promise. Even if some chose a different path, they had a glimpse of their youth and a cherished memory that they had long forgotten.
What can we learn from this story?
- Some teachers do more than teach a subject . Mrs. Hernandez was a protective and inspirational figure to the 1972 graduates. She did more than educate them.
- Try making time capsules from your youth because they can be incredibly inspiring . The letters that Mrs. Hernandez had her students write were time capsules to be read long afterward. Try making one with your kids or friends.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
This story is inspired by the everyday lives of our readers and has been written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to real names or locations is purely coincidental. All images shown are for illustrative purposes only. Share your story with us, it could change someone’s life. If you want to share your story, send it to info@amomama.com .
