reunited in 10 years' time and would do my best to ensure that I played a part in making it

happen.

Little did I realise just how big a job I was taking into my hands. Along with close friend Laura-Ann O'Neill, who I also went to school with, we set about planning the reunion party months in advance and it took right up until the last minutes before walking into People's Bar, Claudy.

It was such an overwhelming experience being in the same room with my fellow pupils since I left school all those years ago. For the first time in my adult life, I actually felt that I hadn't got any older and time had not moved forward 10 years, almost like we were still in school, as though it was our formal night. The only differences this time, was that it wasn't illegal for us to be as merry as we wanted and of course the physical changes. The years had been good to my ex-classmates and although some had lesser hair and bigger waistlines (not just the few that were pregnant), everyone still looked pretty damn good.

There was a lot of drama in the run-up to the event itself, organising the venue, the food, ensuring people got their tickets, the music etc. and at one point I got a text to say someone who was due to attend that night had gone into labour hours before!

Luckily one of the people attending was now a midwife, if anything similar was to happen at the party. I'd even bought congratulations cards on the birth of your baby boy and girl just to be safe.

The best part of the evening was the awards ceremony that took place. Those attending were asked to nominate fellow pupils in the specified categories that ranged from 'Most enthusiastic child bearer award' to 'Most dedicated pupil award, i.e. in terms of those who had travelled most far to attend.' Some were a mouthful but it was the answers that gave us the biggest laughs, one country man even nominating my choice of jacket as being the biggest shock of the evening. Think very shiny black and silver rhinestones. Not the typical kind of attire you see people wear in Foreglen.

When it was time to burst open the Mexican Piñatas, out popped things that left most of the teaching staff blushing. We had contemplated some of them taking turns at whacking it, but visions of one elderly teacher being split on the head with one of the inside treats instantly made us opt for the pupils to do the job instead. Never have I seen so many people scramble for handcuffs and edible body paint all at once.

It wasn't until near the end of the night that I felt that I could totally relax, a bit like your own birthday party, were you find yourself feeling a little stressed, hoping that the night runs smoothly and ensuring everyone is okay. I had no more speeches to do, no more group pictures to take, no more awards to hand out.