When I got to the bar I ordered my first Southern and Coke of the night. Standing very near where I ordered from where a few guys I recognized but I couldn’t quite recall their names. The closest one turned to me and luckily either he remembered my name or looked quickly at my name tag and said “Hi, Brenden”. A quick (but noticible, I’m sure) glance at his name tag and “Hey Collen” (Zehnder) was what I said. Standing with him were Gabe Lucas, Adam Nelson, Collen’s wife Kelly (?), and I think one other guy, but I can’t remember. While I sipped we made some small talk about what we were all doing–the typical reunion type discussion.

I took my leave and headed back to the group I left near the door. It was fun to meet spouses (Brian’s wife’s name was Breana, which is the feminine form of ‘Brian’–I thought that was funny), talk about jobs, kids, ski bumming, school. Basically the even more condenced version of what I wrote out above, from everyone’s points of view.

After a little bit it was time for my second drink. I didn’t make the same mistake of not asking Tina what kind of drink she wanted and headed out to make the order. On my way back I ran into Dan Wisdom and Ryan Theissen, who I got to know pretty well my senior year. Dan had gone to school out in Bozeman for a couple of years so he was very excited to hear about my ski bumming days. Passing by we caught Teri Dale, who I worked at Best Buy with, and we did the whole thing again. Dan decided that one of her highlights was the best thing of the night. There is a highlight of her crashing a BMX bike that shows on ESPN some times. I can’t remember if I’ve ever seen it, but I’m going to be looking for it. I don’t know many (any?) people who have highlights shown on ESPN, that’s pretty sweet.


I then decided I wanted to eat some food and made my wishes known for anyone who wanted to follow. On our way back Tina and I ran into Mark Warder, who lived about 1 block from me growing up, and his wife, who were currently living in Panama. It was fun to hear about that–he’s running a youth ministry down there, very exciting. While talking to him came the question of the night for the first time…to Tina and I: “You two aren’t married are you?” “No” was the answer given.

We finally made it to the buffet table. They had cheese and crackers, fruit, chips, chicken wings, and meatballs. I took some cantalope, strawberries, chips, and meatballs. The fruit and meat were excellent. The chips were stale! That was quite disappointing. I talked to Tina and Adam, and Steve and Linzy while eating. At one point a girl I had known since 1st grade, Jodi Sullwold (though she had a married name now) and a girl I met in high school, Tricia Jolson, walked up to me and said hello. Jodi asked me, point blake, whether I still ate glue. She remembered me eating glue in Mrs. Brown’s first grade class. I was sorry to inform her that I didn’t, and that I couldn’t even remember eating glue in 1st grade. Though I guess I can’t doubt it. I can see myself doing it if it might have impressed a girl or two. And I see it impressed at least one!

After eating a bit, I got a new drink and wandered back to my group of friends. Most of the time was spent just catching up with them. Some time one of my best friends from Jr High and High School, Steve Wolfgram, came in. At one point I was talking to him and Breana Kuhn. She asked me “So what were you doing out in Montana?” Before I could say a word and without batting an eye Steve answered for me: (so the search engines don’t find bad words I will misspell his answer - 4=A, switch the r and o) “G4y pron.” With shock both Breana and I looked at him and just started laughing. With that he kept rolling with it. Talking about how I after I made my first video I had so much fun that I kept going with it. I had to pay the bills, blah, blah, blah. I didn’t stop laughing for 5 minutes. Just like the good old days–Steve always had a pretty easy time getting me to laugh.

After a while of more chatting Teri walked by and showed me a paper bag. “You’re famous” she said. A bunch of paper bags had been put all over the bar area with candy inside and pictures pasted on the outside. A picture of me getting my hair cut at the senior class lock-in party was on a bag. I thought that was pretty cool. The varsity football team picture was on there as well, which I happened to be in as well. She then mentioned that she wanted to bowl a little bit. I agreed and grabbed a few friends and we headed out of the bar and towards the lanes.