Monday Musings: High School Nostalgia

As '90s fashion makes a resurgence, including "retro t-shirts" at Target featuring Nirvana, Metallica and Tupac, I'm becoming increasingly nostalgic about my high school years. I experienced this coming of age period from 1996 to 2000. Yes, Fay and I are both members of the Class of 2000!

Last summer I read Chuck Klosterman's The Nineties (my brief review is here) and I highly recommend it. The book helped me recall the many quirky and interesting aspects of the decade. Now that I have two teenagers, I've thought a lot about my own high school experiences and I'm sharing some of my favorite late '90s pop culture!

Television - There were so many shows I enjoyed while in high school. Before DVR and streaming services, catching shows live was a great time to hang out with friends. Some of my favorite sitcoms and dramas were Friends, ER, Will & Grace, Sex & the City, Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls. I still like to watch episodes on streaming services when I want a good laugh or cry.

Music - This decade holds some of the greatest music of all time, in my opinion. The late '90s showcased talented artists and incredible hits in an array of genres. I loved rocking out in my car to Alanis Morissette, Bush, Foo Fighters, Snoop Dogg, The Chicks, Smashing Pumpkins, Spice Girls, Faith Hill, TLC, Lauryn Hill and of course the boys bands — NSYNC and Backstreet Boys! My husband and I recently went to a '90s cover band's concert and it was so fun!

Movies - We didn't have cell phones or social media so connecting with friends included landline phone calls, a trip to the local mall and going to the movies. The late '90s birthed several classic comedies. Some of my favorite movies from this time are Runaway Bride, American Pie, 10 Things I Hate About You, Varsity Blues, Titanic, The Wedding Singer, Romeo & Juliet, Good Will Hunting, Austin Powers, Sliding Doors and You've Got Mail.

I've introduced my kids to the awesomeness of this era. They've watch Friends and Gilmore Girls and know the lyrics to music by Foo Fighters and Snoop Dogg. (My middle went to a Weezer concert this summer!) They've experienced 10 Things I Hate About You, Romeo & Juliet and Titanic. The turn of the 21st Century was a unique and exciting time to begin a journey toward adulthood. I feel fortunate to have been a '90s kid!

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