Linda Nagem-Sawaya
& Huda Siksek

Shirley Cottam-Bowman,
Malek Mrowa
& Jenny Auckland

Sabah Baz
& Hilarie Auckland-Baz

Nancy Nagem-Aswad
& Jenny Auckland

Tewfik Al Far
& Maha Massis

Fuad Ramadan,
Adel Al Mangour
& Gina Angelo-Al Mangour

Nayla Abufadel
& ?

Maha Massis, Mona Shour
& May Samuel-Abboud

Linda Nagem-Sawaya
& Sarmad Al-Wadi

Shirley Cottam-Bowman
& Omar Haffar

Huda Adlpavar
& Danny Nagem

Issa Mina, Leena Saidi
& Tewfik Al Far

Vacation time is precious, and decisions regarding it should not be taken lightly. However, I’d be lying if I told you I thought long and hard about taking my vacation in Brummana this year. It took all of about 3 seconds for me to call my travel agent and book a flight to Lebanon. Sure, everyone who knows me thought I was nuts. Why would I go back after 27 years? I’ll tell you why… but first, let me describe how it was on arrival…. 

The taxi from the airport pulled over next to Hotel Kanaan, and I prepared to get out. I noticed a bunch of merry holidaymakers sitting at a long table at Café Kanaan and as we made eye contact, I smiled and thought they must be BHS reunion-ites. I needn’t have worried, they all got up and approached with big smiles asking “Huda?” yes, I thought, as we hugged and exchanged names and realized who was who. Next thing I knew, drinks had been ordered for me and for my Greek American friend who came with me, and we were sitting there, part of that table, like we owned the place, like we belonged. The conversation flowed and we stayed there seemingly forever, catching up, like one big happy family. It felt good and it felt right. It was genuine and I was chatting away like I do with my best friends and family. There I was, sitting with a big group of my buddies, my brothers and sisters, my friends. Well… no, actually, truth be told, I was sitting with a big group of total strangers. Schoolmates I had not seen for 27 years.

Sami Mina, Ibrahim Qamar, Tewfik Al-Far, Danny Nagem, Nayla Abufadel, Mona Shour, and Huda Adlparvar

And there, across the street was BHS, like a rock, like a mountain, still the same, nothing had changed. Was it always such an impressive looking campus? I guess so. Everything in Lebanon looked smaller to me, except the school. Man what a huge campus! What incredible buildings. The inevitable goose bumps as I walked up the drive, past the Meeting House, expecting Mr. Kamel to appear at any moment. I notice, and smile to myself, the wall is not as high as I remember. It had been a struggle for me to climb up there in the eighth grade. I entered the classrooms and after much searching, found the exact spot where I used to hide behind the door with my eighth grade boyfriend, as we held hands and sat on top of the classroom heater during recess. I couldn’t remember where the library was, but I thought I heard a familiar echo in my head… “Leave Da Place”. Hello Sir, I am back. 

Gala night was a blast. I mistakenly thought that the whole reunion was just our BHS-70’s group, about 20 people. But on arrival at the Al Bustan Hotel, I discovered the reunion is around 500 people strong. As for the food, the music, the dancing, the gossip… well, you’ll have to come next year and see for yourselves. Let’s put it this way, it sure was nice to see everyone in formal dress, and it sure was nice to be an adult amongst all those people whom I had looked up to and deemed “cool” when I was a child. Suddenly, being “Randa’s Little Sister” got me the best seat in the house. Eat your hearts out all you women out there; I sat like a princess between Tewfic Al Far and Issa Mina. I’m telling you folks…there is a God!

Linda Nagem-Sawaya, Omar Haffar, Shirley Cottam-Bowman, Nassif Aoun, Issa Mina, and Jenny Auckland

All kidding aside, each day was wonderful. Starting with breakfast at the terrace in Hotel Kanaan, it seemed like we were one big extended family, relatives were welcomed, friends joined in, alumni children and BHS teachers were all there. I was never alone, even though I arrived not knowing anybody. The camaraderie and inclusiveness were extended to anyone, even to friends driving past in their cars. Sarmad with his binoculars kept watch over the comings and goings, Linda and Nayla were the designated group problem-solvers. And Danny…Danny, you rock our world dude! I’ll be thinking of you everyday at beer o’clock. And as for the young adults who were with us, the next generation of ‘cool’ is every bit as wonderful as their BHS alumni parents. Dahi, I have a confession to make, I did not understand a single word you said during all of our conversations! I need to work on my Welsh accent! 

What made it the best vacation for me was the fact that some of us came from all over the world and yet we all felt at home with each other. For most of my past, I’ve been considered different, I have often felt marginalized and my life experience has often made me stand out. Back with the rest of the BHS gang, I was finally in the midst of a group who all had similar stories, similar experiences and shared similar thoughts on life. Were we all the victims of war? Or are we lucky enough to be part of a unique international species? Why don’t you come next year and we can debate it as we eat saj with halloum and zatar on the terrace under the pine trees? Just like old times? No, not really, but I could get used to this in my future. 

My favorite reunion memory?? That’s easy! Dancing the night away and staying up till the wee hours of the morning at “Janna” restaurant in Beit Mery… that for sure was the best experience of all for me. (Inside joke… )   

May Samuel-Abboud, Fuad Ramadan, Jenny Auckland, Christine Sabieh, Nayla Abufadel, Nassif Aoun, Tewfik Al Far, Tara Al Far, Fayez Aoun, Omar Haffar, and Shirley Cottam-Bowman

So why would I go back after 27 years? I don’t know if there is one simple answer. I am certain that each BHS alumnus would have his or her answer. As for me, the BHS-70’s website clinched it. I’ve been receiving their emails and seeing the photos for years thanks to all the hard work done by Debi, Linda and Sarmad. Receiving the emails made me feel like family, and sure enough, going there proved me right. I personally came all the way from Toronto, and gave up my annual vacation on the Greek Islands to stay in Brummana instead. And I’m telling you, I can’t wait to do it again. Was it a sentimental journey? To be honest… no. Come on, we are all adults now, with lives of our own. It was nice to go down memory lane, but the reunion was more about meeting with incredibly wonderful people, not about laying down old ghosts. Ok, granted, we all have our demons, and sure, they did pop out once in a while, in the most unexpected places. Especially when we remembered our friends and family members who we lost during the war. Perhaps this is natural for us, carrying our losses around with us, in our heads and in our hearts. But this, to me, is what makes us all members of the invisible BHS club. This is our bond, our secret handshake.

Sarmad and Linda, I am eternally grateful for all you did for us in organizing this year’s reunion.

Until we meet again, God willing, next summer,
I serve,
Huda Siksek
Toronto
Canada

Diane (guest of Huda), Shirley Cottam-Bowman, Nayla Abufadel, Jenny Auckland, Linda Nagem-Sawaya, and Huda Siksek