...and she doesn't want hubby around to mess up her plans.

This way she gets off acting magnanimous while truthfully she's just yearning for a chance to be just a little bit slutty.

By the way, I'm all for it, LW. Good plan! It worked for me. :-)

At my 10th high school reunion, everyone was in impress-others mode. There was a roomful of braggerts swaggering around, drinking and talking too much. Ugh.

At my 20th high school reunion, everyone was genuine and nice. I truly enjoyed seeing them and hearing about their lives. We all swore we'd keep in touch, then didn't.

At my 30th high school reunion, I didn't go. Because I didn't really know those people except for four years many many years ago.

Go and have a good time. Forget it the next morning. In the overall scheme of things, it has absolutely no meaning.

Class of '70

Dear Letter Writer,

I am puzzled as to why you don't want your husband there.

I think one spouse can learn a lot about his or her partner by going to the other's high school reunion. God, it would be fantastic -- you could see an early version of your chosen one, see the people he or she knew then. You could whisper about everyone on the sidelines. You could separate during the event and meet later and trade notes. More importantly, your spouse could gain a fuller knowing of you. It's a wonderful opportunity.

If your husband is into going, why not trust that he can take care of himself? He's a grown man, after all. Perhaps you can come up with a game plan ahead of time in case he wants to leave early and meet you back at the hotel, or whatever. I'd think he'd come in handy, in case you get waylayed by someone you knew kinda sorta but don't really have much to say to but who is giving a blow by blow account of every event in the last ten years of his or her life. Your husband could rescue you, if necessary!

My high school was rather large -- 3600 kids, and over 600 in my class. I went to my 20th reunion and none of my old friends were there. I coulda used a husband then!

I don't know how big your class was, but in the end, you might find yourself very glad if your husband came with you. Please think twice about shutting him out of this goofy, perplexing and ultimately possibly deflating night in your life.

Remember, a George divided against itself cannot stand. Worlds will collide!

Take Cary's advice. There's no way to leave hubby home. See the friends on your own at some point agreed to in advance with your husband. Hell, maybe if you tell him you want to leave him alone for a long time while you hang out, he'll volunteer not to go. You have to find a way for both Georges within you to survive.

Mostly, you don't want your husband there because you're going to be nervous enough and don't want to be responsible for his fun as well.

At my ten, I went by myself to the Friday night get-together (at the local bar where we used to all drink underage), which got me over the nerves of meeting people I hadn't seen in years without having to worry about him as well. I explained this in advance, and he had no problem with it. Some other people brought their S.O.s, who ended up watching football and playing pool. At the formal dinner I was comfortable with a number of former classmates, and everyone had brought their S.O.s, so we were all in the same boat. After that, both you and your husband will know whether he's having fun, and can plan for any other events accordingly.

My husband had a pretty good time at my reunion, and I had a blast at his, he had some great friends.

The reunion will be odd but more fun and less horrible than you expect, as long as you've matured since then; you just have to deal with the people who didn't. Friendly drunk people you barely knew will treat you like an old friend; acquaintances from clubs will hand you their business cards; you will be stunned by the number of people who saw you around college or your current workplace but never said Hello; you will marvel at the fact that the football player remembers you from Calc II (there were FOOTBALL PLAYERS in Calc II???)Your friend who knew, I mean, EVERYONE will tell you the gossip on all the people you knew and many you didn't. And you will get all soppy and swear to keep up with everyone, but you probably won't at least until the 15th Year Reunion, if not the 20th.

Oh, and several of the popular people will conform to your worst expectations, but with luck you will have matured to the point where you mostly find it SAD that they truly haven't changed in ten years.

Take several deep breaths, take your husband, and have fun. A 10 Year Reunion is not to be missed. And if you have any lingering petty feelings toward former classmates...nothing beats having a lawyer husband to wave under their noses!

It's probably hard to admit that you suspect you'd have more fun without your husband. For all his merits, my boyfriend, possibly like your husband, has the obnoxious habit of telegraphing the fact that he's bored to any receptive antennae. He wants to leave within two minutes of arriving, no matter whose feelings (my mother's...) get hurt.

If this is your concern, it seems like your husband would be quick to back out given the slightest opportunity. Gently bring up the fact that you're worried that he might be bored, and he's under no obligation to go. He might be overjoyed! If, however, he says he's interested in meeting your old high school friends, you're stuck, but it's possible that at least he won't be bored, and he may act as a nice buffer when you yourself want to back away from the disappointing finds Cary correctly suggests.

Good luck.