Relationship Advice - Reunion Jitters

Survival Advice Guide for Spouses Attending Reunions

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

My wife's 20th high school reunion is coming up and this is the first reunion I'll be attending with her. I'm really not looking forward to it, since I feel like everyone will know one another and it will put me in an awkward social situation. My wife is so excited, however, that I don't want to rain on her parade and of course, don't want to embarrass her or make a bad impression on her old friends.

Do you have any advice or tips for how I can have a good time at the reunion and make my wife proud of our relationship?

Sincerely,

Nervous 

A:

Dear Nervous,

Here are some tips for surviving a spouse's reunion (relatively) unscathed!

1. Marathon training helps. Don't go into the reunion stressed and unrested. Prepare yourself with a massage, a nap, a day of beauty at the spa prior to the reunion and a new dress or suit.
Why? You'll make 'em drool with envy that your spouse is so lucky -- and he or she will appreciate you more. 

2. Practice the proverbial, "Hey!" "Hi" and "Ho, ho, ho!" Forget about being properly introduced with names. Your spouse won't remember, and the nametags lose their glue. Don't even play the name game. Just say hello, and hi. Forget about "You must be..."

3. Take a hotel. Get a babysitter and make it a whole night. Don't let your spouse succumb to those high school fantasies. Make the reunion your own mini-honeymoon reunion. Bring a cheerleader outfit or a football jersey for fun in bed later. 

4. Pace yourself. You can't drink the same way you used to. This isn't a keg party. Don't get sloppy drunk. You're likely to really regret it since you probably won't see these people again until the next reunion.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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