The practice of signing yearbooks began with 17th-century scrapbook-style books on the East Coast where students would collect signatures and mementos from their peers. This tradition continued into the 1800s and the late 19th century as formal yearbooks became more common, evolving from simple logbooks to include student portraits with the advent of photography.
Some yearbooks are distributed in the fall so it can include pictures from events like graduation, prom, and spring sports. I recall getting our yearbooks in the fall. So, as I recall, I didn't receive messages like "Have a great summer" since summer would have been months away. Some schools do have spring yearbook distribution, so students receive it the same year as that school year. Nevertheless, I recall a fall distribution of yearbooks.
Yearbook Notes and Messages
Notes from my peers in my yearbook received fall of my junior year.
Hey there,
I hope you have a great year and a great wrestling season. I could fill every page of this yearbook describing how much you mean to me and how amazing you are. Just kidding. Although you broke my heart, it has mended. In fact, my new boyfriend is way better than you! Ha ha! We did have something special though for a while. I'll never forget the year we spent together as a couple! Take care.
Love, K
* * *
Hey Rambo,
Ran from any cops lately? That was fun when we crawled through the barbed wire fence to escape the trooper that night at the stone bridge. Most of that keg went to waste but at least we made our getaway. Have a great year, man! - R
* * *
Hey Tough Guy,
We'll have to hit some teen dances at Matter's Ballroom or meet some more girls at the Heidelberg. Sometimes I miss our days of making blanket forts and walking to the movies. But we had to grow up sometime. I'm sure you'll kick butt in wrestling again this year. Even if you don't qualify for State, we're going to Des Moines regardless! Take care, buddy! - C
* * *
Hey Darling,
After seeing you out running this summer, I just know you're going to be the most dedicated wrestler on the team. I have so many things I could write but I'm not sure how to express the feelings I have for you. Regardless of how things turned out for us I hope you know you'll always be special to me. Have a great year! Love, M
* * *
Hey Cutie,
Thanks for always saying "hi" or having a smile for me. I remember sitting next to you on the bus for a few years. That bus got wild sometimes. I suppose I'll see you and Brad at a few parties this year. I hope so! I think you should give us Postville girls a little more attention than those redheads from Waukon! Ha ha! I know people like to say, "Never change." But you can't wear that Members Only jacket and sport a bi-level haircut forever you know. I know why you like the bi-level. Because it suggests, "Business in the front, party in the back." Ha ha! Have a great year. Love, A
* * *
Hey there,
I was surprised when you asked me to sign this. Here goes. I think you are the most handsome boy in the entire school. Psych! Just kidding! Did you actually buy that? You are good looking though and stylish. I'm not sure we've ever had a conversation since I moved here. I don't bite, dude. Say "hi" sometime. I have seen you at parties and dances though. You even bummed a cigarette off me that one night! Trying to impress that redhead, eh? Well, we've still got two years to get to know each other. I have a feeling that under your quiet demeanor is a party animal waiting to break loose! Take care. Rock on! - M
* * *
Wild Man,
I hate high school but we're getting close to the end now. Now we get to boss the underclassmen around. No more taking crap! When I get a pickup truck, we'll load up a cooler of beer and go cruise for chicks. Of course, my heart belongs to Daisy Duke, but for now high school chicks will do just fine. Take it easy! - R
* * *
Hey Tyrone,
We'll have to take a college day in CR and meet up with Darren. Before that we have to party! We'll cruise to a party at the bridge in my Monte Carlo with George Thorogood blasting from the car stereo. Bad to the bone! I know you like Madonna and all that synth pop stuff. But not in my car! Only AC/DC, Kiss, Nazareth, Def Leppard, and other hard rock! Maybe after some late-night partying, Sheila will make us breakfast again. Pancakes! Prom this year! I hope we can find dates! Have fun in the sun, get laid in the shade.
Have a great year, buddy! - B
* * *
Hey Superfly,
Underneath that quiet veneer lurks a real badass. I've seen it! I remember that day in gym class when you went flying through the air to deliver a blow to someone who ticked you off. You sure went flying. Hence, the nickname Superfly. I'm not talking about the movie Super Fly from 1972. I'm talking about the pro wrestler Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. We'll have to take a cruise in my car Ethel along the Mississippi to Prairie du Chien and see what kind of mischief we can get into. We'll bring Brad along to keep us laughing. We should go to Ginger's sometime for burgers and shakes like we did during semester tests when we were freshman. Have a great year! - J
* * *
Hey Man,
I've enjoyed watching you do your thing on the mat. I watched my brother cut weight for four years. You wrestlers are crazy, but I appreciate your dedication. Stay away from Brad. He's a bad influence! Just kidding. We should all take a road trip and drink a few beers. Then about 2 AM we'll have Brad fry us up about six eggs! Ha ha! Good luck with that redhead. Readhead, redhead, fire in the woodshed! Have a great year! - T
* * *
Hey Taiwan,
I enjoy seeing you at church and our times in youth group. But remember it's okay to let loose sometimes too! Have a beer once in a while for crying out loud! You only live once! Stay the sweet guy you are. Love, K
* * *
Hey Smurf,
When I moved here in seventh grade you were my first boyfriend. I guess we bonded over the Dallas Cowboys and, of course, my beauty. You really blew it by letting me slip away, pal! Ha ha! It's never too late though. You could come over some night when my parents aren't around and we could go to my bedroom and see what happens. We could have a wrestling match of our own, if you know what I mean. Ha ha! Just kidding. I'm a minister's daughter for crying out loud! I hope you have great season! But before you start officially training, we should have a beer sometime. Save me dance at the Sweetheart Dance. Take care. Love, H
* * *
Hey there,
It seems like only yesterday we were in elementary school passing love notes, roller skating, and listening to the Bay City Rollers and Captain & Tennille. You were my first boyfriend. I'll never forget you! 2 Good 2 Be 4 Gotten. - P
* * *
Hey there,
I'll never forgive you for turning down my Homecoming invite last year. We could have had fun! I miss the old days when you were almost always my skating partner in the couple skates. Although there was that time you turned me down to look cool in front of all the guys, and I was humiliated. Thanks a lot! Did you notice where I'm signing this yearbook? I'm signing it right next to your crack! Ha ha! Get it? The crack of the book. Now that's funny. Well, I suppose I'll have to forgive you for Homecoming. Take care. - R
* * *
Hey Babe,
I've seen how easily you've gotten over the junior high crush you had on me. I've seen that redhead and she's not the first girl I've seen you get friendly with since junior high. I hope you're carrying protection at all times, and I don't mean a gun buddy. Ha ha! I wish you hadn't quit FFA. We miss you. But we sure had fun at the National FFA Convention in Kansas City a couple years ago. By the way, I know you guys bought a girlie magazine at that convenience store near our motel. Horn dogs! If I become filthy rich after high school, you and the rest of the class will never hear from me again because I'll move to Beverly Hills. F--- you guys! Just kidding. Remember ASS. No, not my ass! ASS (Always Stay Sweet). Take care, babe. - A
* * *
Min kjære,
Du er en søt og snill ung mann. Du er også veldig kjekk, og det er derfor damene elsker deg. Jeg ønsker deg alt godt i dine fremtidige bestrebelser.*
You'll have to find someone who can read Norwegian to translate this for you! Take care and best wishes. Love, Lil
* * *
Hey there,
I know we don't really talk much but you've always been a nice guy. I guess we don't share a lot of memories either because we don't really hang out. But you are a sweet and funny guy who I enjoy seeing at school and the occasional party. Maybe your buddy Brad will serenade me again in the lobby someday. "You are so beautiful to me..." Joe Cocker, right? He sure makes me laugh. Have a great year! - S
* * *
Sweetheart,
Am I allowed to write in the yearbook of a school I don't attend? I guess so. Thanks for asking me to sign. I guess it's a good thing we both attended that church lock-in last year otherwise I wouldn't have met you. I really wasn't sure you'd show up for our first date but we're still together a year later. I love hanging out in the basement watching Friday Night Videos with you and "talking" in your car at parks and the fairgrounds. The cops have only told us to move on twice. Ha ha. Do some of the boys still call you Virgin Killer? I like it when you drive your parents' Bonneville. Your Bobcat is okay but then I can't sit beside you and it only has AM radio. But when we fold down the seats in the back things get interesting! I'm impressed with how well you drive a stick. I guess I could make some sexual joke about your stick, but I'll keep things rated G for now! Take it easy on our guy during wrestling season. I'm dating the enemy, I guess. I'm so glad I met you. I wish I could see you more often. Like the Chicago song says, "You're a hard habit to break." "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams always make me think of you. Let's make it a great year and grow even closer. I love you. - J
* * *
Footnotes
* Approximate Norwegian to English translation
My Darling,
You are a sweet and kind young man. You are also very handsome which is why the ladies adore you. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
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