If you're still here, I have a new story for the Sarah Looks Freakishly Young file. Today I went with Rob to an art gallery reception for one of his retired former colleagues. After we went around and looked at all the paintings, we went up to the former colleague and congratulated him on his show. He greeted Rob. Then he turned to me and said something like "And who's this young lady?"
I immediately assumed that he had mistaken me for a student. Hey, that happens sometimes if I go to a college campus. And the man in question is older. Fine.
Little did I know it was actually much worse.
At this point, Rob introduced me and said "Have you met my wife Sarah?" There was some handshaking and greeting and then the former colleague said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like a junior high girl."He then went on to say I looked young enough to be Rob's daughter, which is verging on the ridiculous.
When people say stuff like that, I find myself wishing I routinely carried around a selection of photos of myself at various ages so I could have them compare how I ACTUALLY LOOKED in junior high with how I look now. So, for your amusement, I offer this photo of myself from the University Heights Middle School 8th grade class of '89 yearbook (right).
See? I have, in fact, aged considerably since then. Well, maybe not considerably. But I'm a couple of inches taller. And at least 30 pounds heavier. I do still own a jean jacket, but now it's delightfully retro. (At least, that's what I tell myself.) I think I'm probably just as much of a nerd, if not more so. In fact, in 8th grade I was on the drill team, which I thought made me way cool. Oh, it's picture time again! Bottom row, 3rd from the right!
9 comments:
Oh, my. Actually, it's not just limited to girls - I frequently get people thinking I'm way younger than I am, to the point of it being ridiculous even. Lots of that was in the UK, where everybody seems to age very poorly, but it's happened here as well.
As to you being cooler: I don't know how wearing a cowboy hat counts as cool. Care to explain? :-D
I'm really glad I'm not the only one. :D
The cowboy hats were part of our formal parade regalia. Actually, during parades it was even worse because we were required to gel our hair up under the hats. By the time we took the hats off afterward, our hair would be completely....crunchy.
Oh, no worries.
My mum had all three of us in tow, and was still hit on by skeevy men who insisted that she was lying and that we were her LITTLE SIBLINGS.
I remember this from being four or five... and I am her youngest natural-born child. So, yeah. She was in her thirties, and it still would not die.
I get carded all the time - more when I'm less heavy, but I get carded because people must think my boobs are fake.
My life. Sometimes, I tell ya... my life...
Dude. Seriously. WE ALL LOOK OF AGE. I'll admit that I might not look my actual age, but still. Half the time I think it's because I'm so short, but David's comment has me doubting that theory. :)
Rob's mom had that same problem your mom did! In fact, there's a funny story about her cussing out a toy store employee because she was in there with a little Rob and his toddler sister and the employee said they couldn't be in there without an adult.
when I was a junior in high school we got off for summer earlier than the elementary schools. I walked my baby sis up to school one morning and coming back the crossing guard stopped me and asked where I thought I was going and to 'get back to school'!
When I was in first year of college people thought I was still in high school - as a 9th grader.
Lis, I MUST KNOW how that interaction with the crossing guard ended. I assume you set her straight, but did she believe you? ;)
Once when I was visiting a high school as a librarian, I really, really had to talk a teacher into the fact that I was a fellow adult and not a student in the halls without a pass.
I am delighted when people don't think I'm my age. When bartenders card me, I always tell them that I love them.
Also, middle school you is completely adorable. You were (and remain!) awesome.
Aw, thanks! :) You might not say that if you saw one of the pictures in which my bangs were hairsprayed...ah, the late 80s...
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