Bucket List #67: Eat a School Lunch at School Once More [VIDEO]

The simple days of noisy lunchrooms and balanced nutrition on Styrofoam trays are far gone for me.

Although anything food-related catches my attention faster than a sonic boom, lunchtime in school was always my favorite time of day. It was 45 minutes of catching up among friends and ala carte curiosity. It was a mid-day reset and a brief break from subject absorption.

For years, I've always wanted to go back to school and eat whatever was on the menu for the day. Yes, it's a silly request, but it's a fun bucket list item I had to accomplish someday.

Well, that day was today and I was over-the-moon excited.

I had been invited to read to the fourth graders of the Casimir Pulaski School in New Bedford to celebrate Read Across America Week in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday. Mrs. Lawrence and Miss Gamache had picked out the book Elvis Is King, the story of Elvis Presley's success and fame.

The book was a heart-warming present for me to take home afterward.

As I finished reading to the class, I had asked them (jokingly) what was for lunch.

"Chicken and waffles!" they screamed out.

"I love chicken and waffles!" I screamed back.

"Would you like to join us?" Mrs. Lawrence asked me. "Lunch is only five minutes from now."

Now that's what I call a day-maker.

As I was escorted to my table. Moments before the lunchroom was filled with the hustling and bustling voices of fourth and third graders, I walked through the classic lunch line like the good old days. I had my choices of one percent milk, low-fat milk or chocolate milk; I went with the one percent.

Not even seconds after I took my seat, I was surrounded by students who greeted me with open arms and asked politely and kindly if they could "sit with me." What a warm welcome it was!

We went on to eat our lunch and chit-chat about our favorite school subjects and what kind of music we all listened to. It was the most nostalgic moment of my life and I couldn't have been more grateful.