Where Are They Now? — Julie Merrell

Where the heck did the last 20 years go??? I don't know about the rest of you, but when I saw the email about a 20 year reunion, I felt old!

For those of you that don't remember me, I was one of the semi anti-social kids that chose to hang out in D-wing, not go to class, and if getting high out behind D-wing would have been a class, I would have received the A+ my mom was hoping to see on my report card. Boy how times have changed.....

I got married about 10 months after high school, and it lasted for a whole 6 months-1 week-3 days....but who's counting? Looking back I just have to wonder what I was thinking when I married the guy. He was quite a bit older than I was, (I was somewhat of a trophy wife) and I think deep down I knew it would never turn out for the best. A few years later I met my second husband, and after being together for 7 years, we (well, I) decided it was time to go our separate ways. During the 2nd husband era, I worked at Provo High doing custodial work. What building was mine? You guessed it....D-wing. Ironic don't you think? After all of the sluffing I did from school, I got a job where I had to go to the very place I tried to avoid for 4 years. Don't think for a minute that my parents didn't think it was hilarious! During this time, I did a lot of soul searching, and realized that I didn't really care for how my life was turning out, and the only person that could change it was, you guessed it....ME.

I quit working for the school district, and got a job working for (you better sit down for this)....

Wasatch County Sheriffs Office answering 9-1-1 calls for Police, Fire, Medical, and Search and Rescue Emergencies. I worked there for 3 years, and then got a job working for Orem City Police as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher for Police, Fire, and Medical emergencies. I love my job! I get great satisfaction from being on the right side of the law, rather than the other side. I get to help people every day of my life, and I hear some of the strangest stories!! My parents also thought it was hilarious that after running from the law, I got up 5 days a week and went to a sheriffs office of my own free will and choice. I also teach the 7 year olds in Primary. Who would have thought that my life would be like this? I really quite like it!

I don't have any children, and in a way that's good just because I can leave my ex husbands behind and never have to look back. Hopefully someday I'll meet Mr. Right and have a family, but if not, my life is great just the way it is! I bought a townhome in Springville 2 years ago, and I live there with my 4 year old wiener dog named Chloe. I have 2 nieces that think I'm the greatest person EVER, and I have an awesome family and the greatest friends ever! It sure has been an adventure since high school! I'm not sure if I will be at the reunion or not, so if I don't make it, I hope everyone has a wonderful time. Feel free to drop me an email to say hi at getmeadietcoke@yahoo.com I'd love to hear from you!