As I clean out my closet, I am finding more and more middle school paraphernalia than I need. Going through these items, I'm realizing how golden those middle school years were. These were a few of my favorite things:
AOL Instant Messenger
On a scale of one to perfect, how great was your AIM? Where else would you flirt with your crush or talk about angsty teen things? My screen name was waffles1996--I pretend that's why I was single.
Slow Dancing
I could feel their sweat even though there was two feet between us. Boys hovering over my hips and glancing away for three minutes was the highlight of the party scene.
Graphic Tees and Colored Skinny Jeans
Going to the store and seeing what witty t-shirts I could get my hands on was always a must. I think my shirt that said "come to the dark side, we have cookies" was a real charmer. Business on the bottom? No silly. Party all the way with every color of the rainbow created into jeans.
Passing Notes
Passing notes about who we liked filled most of our class time back in the day. I remember how awkward it was when the teacher would take them away and threaten to read them.
Long Hair (Boys and Girls)
Girls wanted to grow out their hair as much as boys (if not less). The sexy haircuts that went to about their chins stole the hearts of many.
Texting with T-9
T-9 was the setting on flip phones that allowed the phone to suggest and finish your words as you type. For a texting fiend like myself, this application allowed me to text people in the blink of an eye. No wonder my texting bill was always high.
Zaps
Throwback to the times where dares were written on your hand and you'd try your hardest not to look at them before the time (even though we all secretly looked before then). How many people actually followed through? Three. Ever.
Experimenting with hair colors
Blue, green, red, purple and the occasional feather that we had in our hair really brought out our eyes.
Axe
If I was to name a scent that reminded me of the good old days, I would fondly pick out the clouds of Axe that lingered in the gym and the stairs up from the locker room. I think some boys confused it with soap.
Hollister and Abercrombie
What could be fancier than a girl's Abercrombie polo?
Birthday Parties
Boys sitting on one side of the room and the girls on the other. People sitting on their flip phones and moms staying to chaperone. And don't forget that your parents had to drop you off in the minivan. You were living the life.
Awkward Years
We all had them (and be highly suspicious of anyone who didn't). Just be able to laugh at yourself. Those were some monumental times with flurried hormones and sexy dental work. Ah, the memories.
