It’s that time of year again. Time to get together with family, friends and former classmates. Reunion season is here! Some people dread reunions; but I’m actually pretty fond of these semi-annual get-togethers.

No, I’m not a glutton for punishment. I’m also not a recent lottery winner, the new CEO of a mega-corporation, or the parent of the next Einstein. So, why would I want to go to a reunion?

Attending a reunion is a rite of passage that everyone should experience at least once. It’s right up there with the first day of kindergarten, graduating high school, and moving back in with your parents after graduating college. Going to these events can feel a bit overwhelming; so, I’ve broken down the process into sixteen easy steps:

Step 1: RECEIVE notice of the reunion. Think to yourself, “It’s that time again already? I guess it might be fun.”

Step 2: REPLY with a resounding “Sure, why not?” and talk your friends/family members into joining you.

Step 3: REVIEW your closet. Decide everything is either out of style, doesn’t fit, or was worn at the last reunion. So, you go out and buy something new for the occasion.

Step 4: REALIZE the event is the same day as something that sounds like it might be sort of fun. Too bad you already have plans.

Step 5: REGRET saying you’d go to the reunion. You know, however, that your friends/family members won’t let you off the hook since they’ve already purchased new clothes for the event.

Step 6: RESIGN yourself to the fact that you need to “at least make an appearance”.

Step 7: REINVENT a more interesting way to describe your current life situation: same job, same house, kids are good.

Step 8: REACH the reunion – and reach for a refreshing beverage as you enter.

Step 9: READ the room and make a quick assessment that everyone looks much older since the last get-together. You feel so fortunate that you’ve hardly aged.

Step 10: REPEAT your “more interesting” life update to each person you encounter.

Step 11: REACT to everyone else’s life update with the same, “Oh, is that right? Wow!”

Step 12: REUNITE with people who you’ve been missing more than you’d realized.

Step 13: REMINISCE with these fantastic folks about all the good times you’ve shared together.

Step 14: REIMAGINE a life where you stay connected with the people who took part in such an important chapter of your life.

Step 15: REFLECT on all that you’ve remembered, learned, and laughed about in just a matter of hours.

Step 16: RETURN home with ribs that are sore from laughing, a smile that feels a little bit broader, and a heart that’s definitely fuller.

Some people say that they don’t want or need to go to reunions because they’ve stayed in contact with their closest friends and family members. Therefore, there’s no reason to see anyone else from their past. I must RESPECTFULLY disagree with this premise.

I think it’s important to spend time with the people who were there when you were becoming you. I also believe that you shouldn’t discount the world’s ability to surprise you or your ability to be surprised. There’s nothing more surprising than REDISCOVERING a part of you that you assumed was long gone.

I feel the need to make a confession: When I first started to write this column, I thought that there were only ten steps to attending a reunion. Then I went to a family reunion over the weekend. That’s when I REMEMBERED all of the special, transformative moments that happen when you get together with the people who knew you before you became you.

So, say yes to that invite, open your mind, and REFILL your heart.