from the Anoka, Minnesota, Yearbook 1972, courtesy of Jane Bartlett
Thirty-seven years ago this month I was sitting in the clammy Anoka High School gymnasium with Michele Amble (now Bachmann) and about seven hundred other sweaty graduates waiting to lumber onto the platform to receive our diplomas. Since then we’ve gone out and done the things any group of seven hundred people might do: Bob, the Valedictorian, became a cold-climate physiologist and spent time at the South Pole, Mike is a Dean of Engineering in Illinois, Tim (my old boyfriend) shocked me by becoming a Financial Planner, Jean has had a long career as a Protestant minister, Dave joined the Navy, Mary Jo (the saint in the group, by my reckoning) has spent the intervening years teaching middle school math. And Michelle Amble (now Bachmann) has become a Presidential contender. That one I never saw coming, despite the prescience of the Yearbook editor.
Michele (seated, center, in the photo above) and I were friends in high school–by no means best friends, but people with similar interests and many mutual acquaintances. I remember Michele’s beautiful long hair and bright blue eyes. She was friendly (some might say “perky”), positive, energetic, and…average. I don’t mean that as an insult, rather as a startled observation given what was to come. If I had been asked to predict which of the students pictured in that Yearbook would run for President, Michele would have been at the bottom of the list. (Sorry, Michele) So many of my classmates were smarter, more ambitious, more politically-minded. Or so I thought.
I moved away from Minnesota thirty-one years ago and didn’t follow Michele’s political career until she came onto the national scene. By then we had reached opposite ends of the political spectrum, though I’m sure we were quite closely aligned as high school students somewhere to the right of center. I’m now in Socialist-Senator-Bernie Sanders-Vermont and she’s pouring for the Tea Party. Strangely, though, our political differences don’t interest me much at this point. The most interesting element of my Michele Amble Bachmann story is the (rather corny) American Dream angle.
So my friend Michele–friendly, polite, peppy, average Michele–has managed to meet people, build coalitions, research positions, manage alliances, swallow unkind words, take chances, overcome adversity, charm, cajole, and bully when necessary, her way onto the national political stage. I’m sure she’s had some good luck, good timing, good advice along the way, but I’m also sure she’s worked very, very hard. It’s this lifetime of accomplishment I’m impressed by. Somebody I know is actually going the political distance. At my age (OUR age, Michele) I have some idea of what that entails.
I’m impressed. Until recently, I would have imagined a future meeting with Michele (maybe at a high school reunion?) to include a few giggles, exchanging stories about our children and grandchildren, talking about the problems of menopause and our plans for retirement. Now–she’s on her way to becoming a political icon, for better or worse, and I’m on my way to another day of practicing chamber music and watering the tomatoes. The energy and beauty of the American Dream fascinates me. This really is a place where anything can happen.
I probably won’t vote for you, Michele, but I’m kinda proud.
Great post!
Facebook – that ubiquitos way of staying in touch with long lost friends or acquaintances… how lovely to see this recommended, Karen. Thank you for sharing and putting into perspective what it’s like to have someone who’s basically been out of our lives for 37 years now (oh, my!), be part of our lives in a big way. Michele’s been a part of my life her in “Bachmann Country” – the MN 6th for some time now, but this is the ultimate stage. You’re right – a Charlie Weaver perhaps from the class of ’76, but Michele? We had star power – many wonderful physicians for example, professors, teachers, musicians, scientists – but here’s someone who stepped forward in her early 40′s to reach this pint in less than a dozen years. Meddening perhaps, but fascinating! Take care.
Well said! I know exactly how you feel. It is amazing to be able to say, I knew her in high school and it is awesome to know what strength of character she has needed to have to get this far in the political arena of the US of A. And yes, it is also surprising to realize someone from our class has aspired to the presidency and made it this far – no matter who it is. I too will not be voting for her but I also am proud to be able to say, I knew Michele.