We are former teachers and head teachers of SMK Bukit Mewah, Seremban – now scattered across the country after retirement or transfers over the past 20 years.

Though we stay connected through a chat group aptly named “SBM BFF” (Seremban Bukit Mewah Best Friends Forever), full group meet-ups have been rare. So, when someone suggested an in-person reunion, the response was swift and enthusiastic.

What started with 20 interested members quickly swelled to 50. To ensure comfort, the organisers eventually capped the number as the hotel restaurant hosting our high tea had its limits.

The date – May 16, 2025, Teachers Day – was perfect. True to our teacherly nature, a full programme was drawn up. And long before the 2.45pm registration, most of us were already there, buzzing with excitement.

The atmosphere was electric – like a scene of long-lost friends reunited. Handshakes, hugs, laughter and chatter filled the room. In that moment, we were no different from the noisy students we once guided.

There were stories, questions, laughter – and heartfelt memories. Many had aged gracefully, some remarkably unchanged. Amid the joy, we paused to remember colleagues who had passed on.

But we agreed – at this stage of life, acceptance is key. That, we decided, is the true recipe for healthy ageing.

The organising chairperson opened with a brief welcome, followed by a doa (prayer). Then, the celebration began –our first full reunion in over 20 years.

Ten of us, former school administrators, were seated at the “VIP” table with a served meal, while the rest, seated across four other tables, enjoyed a buffet spread.

But after two decades of retirement, titles no longer mattered – we soon left our seats, mingled freely, and helped ourselves at the buffet.

Conversations flowed as easily as the laughter. More than the food, it was the reconnection that mattered most. Smiling faces and joyful chatter said it all.

An hour was set aside for open sharing, and unsurprisingly, the slot filled quickly. Teachers, after all, rarely shy away from a stage.

We heard stories of post-retirement life: travel, health, family time, and new hobbies. It was clear – retirement was not just well earned, but well lived.

The highlight came with the cutting of the Teachers’ Day cake, followed by a rousing group’s declaration of “Kami guru Malaysia, berikrar dan berjanji ...” (We, Malaysian teachers, pledge and promise...). Our voices filled the restaurant – Surely, the other guests knew their school-going children were in good hands!

The photo session that followed was a flurry of activity. It took time to gather all 50 of us for the group shot, but that didn’t stop the phones from clicking – smaller group photos, selfies, and candid moments captured in abundance.

By 6pm, it was time to part. There were waves, hugs, and quiet goodbyes. And in every heart, the same thought lingered: When will we meet again?