Hometown Honeys

 I don't have particularly fond memories of high school. 

Due to a combination of poor socialization in middle school (which is the natural result of being in classes with the same people since kindergarten- you never have to learn how to meet new people), emerging mental health issues, and more of an interest in books than the day to day dramas of high school, I never fit in as well as I felt my peers did. Looking back, other people probably felt the same, but they hid it well enough at the time that I never would have known. 

As a result, I didn't date much in high school. I usually stuck to a close-knit group, and inter-group dating wasn't something that happened often. Even if I hadn't been awkward and weird, dating options wouldn't have been too plentiful.

Now, let's fast forward ten years to when my social skills have improved (thank you, degrees in psychology and counseling and years of performing at open mics) and I am once again less than a hour from my hometown. I knew there was a chance I might run into someone I recognized on Hinge.

In the last two weeks, I've seen three people I recognize from high school come across my screen: one friend-of-a-friend, one from my confirmation class at church, and one who actually was part of my friend group.

After I finished panicking about coming across someone from my high school, I started wondering what the protocol is for seeing someone you recognize on a dating app. Should I automatically say "not interested" to their profile? Should I say "interested" and mention we went to school together? Should I say "interested" and see if they recognize me? Should I do my best to forget that we went to high school together and make a choice as if they were a total stranger like the other people on the app?

I ended up doing a mix of those choices. I referenced the mutual friend to the friend-of-a-friend, said "interested" and nothing more to the person from church, and sent a message saying hello to the friend I haven't seen in years. My main thought process was that if either of them match back with me, it'll a great story. If they don't match, that's okay too. I would probably have to face a lot of feelings and memories from high school if I actually went out with any of them, and I'm not sure I'm actually interested in doing that.

In a few weeks I will be going back to my hometown with a friend for a nostalgia visit to see how much has changed and stayed the same. I think the real reason I would like to match with those three people with high school is to see how much I have changed too.