Jeez, Emotional Regression: I Will NEVER Again Judge People Who Hook Up at High School Reunions!

You know those stories about people who have been happily married for 30 years, only to attend a high school or grade school reunion and suddenly fall head over heels for their old crush? The kind of emotional tornado where they’re even considering leaving their families behind? I always thought those people were either going senile or, frankly, just losing their grip on reality.

That was until it happened to me.

Emotional regression is real, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. After years of being jaded about love, worn down by failed relationships, and tired of the dating game, I found myself suddenly transported back in time—emotionally, at least. 

All it took was seeing the familiar face of a person I forgot about -- a guy I had an unrequited crush on. We hadn’t spoken in years, but as soon as I saw him, it was like I was 12 again, full of butterflies and awkward excitement.

I didn’t expect it. I had moved on, grown up, and buried tons of memories of my early years. But seeing him again? It felt like a reset button had been hit. All the years of cynicism seemed to melt away, and suddenly, I was filled with the same innocent affection I used to have. No jaded bitterness, no second-guessing intentions—just a genuine, pure liking for someone in a way I hadn’t felt in ages. Maybe it’s the shared history, the childhood we experienced together, but more than that, it’s the way he reminds me of who I used to be.

Having a crush back then wasn’t about appearances, status, or what someone could offer in the future. Crushing on people when I was pure and innocent was simple. It was sincere. I wasn’t yet burdened by the experiences that would later train me to guard my heart, to be suspicious of people’s intentions, or to expect pain as the inevitable conclusion to any romantic connection.

Somehow, over the years, I forgot what it was like to like someone without expecting the worst of the worst. Seeing him again after all these years feels like a breath of fresh air. He’s a reminder of a time when I was less guarded. Reconnecting with him is like rediscovering a part of myself I thought had been lost to the grind of adulthood. 

So, in a way, this emotional regression is all about me. It's silly, but comforting nonetheless.

This time, I told him in the most cringe alcohol-fueled confession. It was unrequited, so he was understandably shocked. 

It probably wouldn't work considering it is definitely ONLY emotional regression, i.e., I see and like the old him, not the new one. But would I still hook up with him (if we're both really single)?. That's a good question.