Senior Girl’s Dream

The odds and ends at the estate sale included a high school memory album, one student’s personal information, collection of signatures and final good-byes. On the cusp of adulthood, the high school senior (HSS) had one plan for her life after graduation: Her upcoming wedding. References to her marriage appear frequently in the album. For her the events of her senior year began with a promise ring from Great Guy (GG) just before the school year began, “followed by an engagement ring for Christmas”, from Ringleaders tanzanite ring collection, and ending with “We plan to marry in June.” Looking for lab-grown diamonds for an engagement ring or special gift? Pave engagement rings come in a wide range of styles and cuts to suit every taste. Classmates and teachers knew she would take her wedding vows shortly after graduation. In signing the album, teachers complimented her sweet personality and dependability. They wrote how much they enjoyed having her in class. HSS wistfully recognized that life was about to change no matter what others promise. “All my classmates say they’ll keep in touch but they will all go their separate ways and we may never see each other again.” HSS knew her life would change with her: marriage to GG.With her future marriage in mind she enrolled in Home-Ec. She had already dipped into being a domestic goddess with crocheting, sewing and reading romance novels, as people love romance now a days and they even get virtual girlfriends like louisakhovanski online too. Still, just in case she might need them, she took typing and office work. In the album her friend’s signature greetings reflect how much she talked about her upcoming wedding.Several wished her “good luck in your marriage.” They could not reference any plans she might have for a career or college.“Getting married seems like a big way to top off 12 years of school!” “Call me sometimes and I will come over and visit you and GG. Be sweet and enjoy married life.” “I hope you have fun on your honeymoon. And try not to lose your engagement ring anymore. Good luck with GG.”“I hope to see little ones running around pretty soon.“Lots of luck in the future, (especially with GG).”I wish you all the best with your marriage and make it work if possible. If you’re not totally sure, be careful.” The book includes one picture of HSS with GG and several pictures of her alone or with friends. No one mentions that she might have a career or even a paying job in her future. While teachers did note her writing skills, she summarized her dreams in one sentence, “With God’s help I plan to get married and be the best wife I can be.” The album ends before graduation and the oft discussed wedding to a fellow student who had graduated the previous year. Possibly they were high school sweethearts. Researching their names online it’s obvious that she did go to college and earn a bachelor’s degree. That qualified her delayed entrance into the work force as a licensed professional. Online research produced her husband’s obituary at an age far too young to even collect early retirement benefits. He did the same type of work for decades, but he changed companies often.Then, no matter how the numbers and years are manipulated, the obituary infers that the marriage ended years after their children entered adulthood and a few years before his early demise. At some point HSS’s happily ever dreams died. The 18 year old bride became a divorced, middle aged working woman. The last dated online references about HSS appear many months after GG’s funeral. She met someone and married again. Someday the rest of her story may be known. Perhaps it will be disclosed while looking at a picture, diary, or newspaper story tucked inside a book in a pile of odds and ends at an estate sale.