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The only thing that leveled the playing field among everyone who went to my high school was that we all wore the same uniform.

Like most schools, there were the typical cliques - the popular kids, the jocks, the brains, the nerds, the loners and "other." I think I fell into the "other" category.

I truly enjoyed high school. I had a wonderful group of very close friends, and my days playing softball were some of the best of my life. I like to think I was friendly. I was neither popular nor unpopular, and I went through my four years happily, without regrets. Well, at least I didn't think I had any regrets…until now.

How about that girl in high school? You know, the one all the guys wanted to date, and all the girls wanted to be friends with? What was she really like?

Remember that guy in high school? You know, the one you never made eye contact with because you were afraid he wouldn't return your glance?

What about that other girl whom you were "hi and bye in the hallway" friends with but you never really got to know?

Or that boy whom you would have liked to have been friends with even though you were from different circles?

We all missed the potential of so many friendships in high school for one reason or another. I know we are all grateful for the lifelong friends that we did make in high school, but do you ever wonder if a simple "hello" in Spanish class could have been the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Well, guess what? We have all sent and received "friend requests" from classmates whom we may or may not have ever spoken with in high school. Whether it was a drunken request or a hope to see how someone turned out, we have all done it! When I look through my "friends list" now, I have former classmates from every corner of the lunchroom. And these days, there is much more in common than a burgundy blazer or wool, plaid, below-the-knee shirt.

We have all had our share of ups and downs. Triumphs and setbacks. Good and bad. Love and loss. Happy and heartache. Fortunes and failures. Sickness and survivors. There are no cliques. We are all just going through this journey of life together.

Now, through the world of social media, we are able to offer congratulations, condolences, a happy birthday wish, a "hello, how have you been" or even a simple status "Like." Are we going to get best friend necklaces, ask each other to be Godparents of our children or even send actual Christmas cards? Probably not. But if we see each other at a local bar, I am sure we will raise our glasses for a "good to see you again" cheers. If we are at a Mommy and Me group, maybe we will set up a play date for our children. Or if we ask advice from our former locker buddy on how she started her blog, she may share her secrets and advice. Thanks, Danielle.

Bottom line: we are all more alike than we could have ever imagined back in high school. And that is perfectly fine. We didn't all NEED to be friends back then. But now, I am happy to see you are doing well, wish you a "Happy Birthday" and offer you condolences in times of need.

Fast forward 20-plus years, and we are all one, big happy clique.

- Leigh-Mary Hoffmann

Leigh-Mary Hoffmann is a mom, public relations specialist and humor blogger from Long Island, N.Y., juggling a family, a job and a busy, crazy life. She tells it like it is - the good, the bad and the ugly - and tries to keep a smile on her face and laughter in her life. Her life story "reads like a cross between the lyrics of a 'feel-good' country song and the script from an 'I feel so bad for her' Lifetime Movie of the Week." She invites you to visit her blog or stop by her Facebook page for all the gory (but not in a gross way, more like "funny") details.