In Spanish there is word used to describe seeing a person you haven’t seen in a very long time, in most cases years. That word is reencuentro.

In my case, that reencuentro happened after 20 years. And I have to say it was so memorable that I won’t soon forget it.

It occurred at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA where my high school alma mater was playing in the state football championship. I decided to attend the game at the last moment, and I’m glad I did.

I knew I was sure to run into former classmates whom I had not seen in years. When I arrived one of these classmates spotted me and invited me to sit with her and her family.

So many faces, most of whom I did not recognize.

At halftime we went to the concourse level and mingled. We saw someone we thought we knew. We approached him and sure enough it was him. You’ll understand in a minute why I’m not using his name.

We were both a bit surprised he didn’t recognize either one of us. Christina gave him some hints but nada. She finally told him her name and recognition dawned.

He still had no idea who I was.

“We graduated in the same class,” I said.

Nothing.

What came next was straight out of a movie.

I told him my name and never in a million years would I have expected such a reaction.

“Holy shit!” he exclaimed, taking a slight step back while his jaw dropped.

I was a bit taken aback and asked, “Ummm, is that good or bad?”

“It’s good. You looking amazing!” he sputtered.

“You seriously didn’t recognize me,” I asked.

“No. I wouldn’t have been able to pick you out of a line up,” he said, repeating that I looked great.

As he said this, he still had this look of amazement mixed with a bit of disbelief.

We talked a bit more and exchanged numbers.

As I sat watching the second half of the game, Christina good-naturedly teased me about his reaction. I couldn’t help but think to myself, had I really changed that much?

I don’t think I’ve changed but rather, have evolved. The person I am now was always in me, it just took some time for that evolution to take place and make me the person I am today – both in physical appearance and inner beliefs. I believe a person evolves over the years and that evolution continues as we mature.

As for the guy with the priceless reaction, he sent me a text after the game. I told him I had to blog about this reencuentro, but I promised not to use his name so as to avoid any embarrassment.