Renee Huffine:
CLASS OF 1978
Costa Mesa High SchoolClass of 1978
Costa mesa, CA
Estancia High SchoolClass of 1976
Costa mesa, CA
Renee's Story
Together for 29 years, and married for 27 years to my best friend; Charlie (Estancia Class of '76). Laughter is the secret. Live fully, Love honestly, Laugh often.
Proud Mom of 3 talented and amazing young people; Averie 23 (CMHS '03, Chapman University '08)), Caris 21 (CMHS '06), Bryson 19 (CMHS '08).
I'm a Sea Lover. I think I might come by that naturally, being Hawaiian. I believe that age is just a number on the package of the soul, and the soul is ageless. I look past the outside and place value on what's inside. I wish all people did the same, which isn't much the case in the Babylon of Southern California.
We live a pretty simple life; no frills, no expensive toys, no fancy houses, no OC silliness. Those things don't make the person. Just good, genuine people that we call friends and some awesome kids who rock our world.
We meet friends every Thursday night at our favorite pub in Newport Beach, talk about the week and share a pint or two. Honestly, that's enough for me.
High school wasn't all that fun for me. I literally got plucked out of my happy life in Hawai'i and told by my parents to pack my bags, I was leaving the next day. I was going to live with my grandparents in a place called Costa Mesa. I remember thinking; "Where the hell is Costa Mesa?" What resulted was complete culture shock. I went into a shell; painfully shy and scared to death.
Had a hard time making friends. Was always the quiet follower in the background. Hated life and REALLY hated Costa Mesa. It was so different than the simple life on an island; people seemed more interested in the clothes you wore or the car you dro...Expand for more
ve and how well you filled out your bikini... that's how they decided whether they wanted to be your friend or not. Funny how some things change (and some are still the same). After spending a year in the midwest for school, I can't imagine living anywhere else now (snow sucks!), but some down to earth, real people made it okay to be here. Costa Mesa has become home and I'm grateful.
I was adopted at birth. After my parents passed on, I decided to try to locate my biological family. After 10 years and a lot of support from my husband and kids, I finally found my birth parents (still living in Hawai'i) and 11 of my brothers and sisters, who accepted me lovingly and with open arms. Instant family in 2004! We now go back to Hawai'i every year for reunions and are still catching up on all the lost years (44!)
After being an at-home mom and raising my kids, I went back to corporate America and slugged away at it as a Payroll Accountant, a Legal Secretary, and as a Executive Assistant to an Oil Company Executive. After 20 plus years of that back-stabbing, ladder-climbing world, I said "ENOUGH!" I'm just not cut out for being cut-throat and manipulative. The money isn't worth it and makes you someone ugly. Now, I manage a Hawaiian-style gift and home decor shop in Costa Mesa; House of Tiki, which is owned by my friend Wes. He's become ohana (family) to us. Hopefully, we bring a little of the "Aloha Spirit" to this little corner of the Mainland. Best of all...I don't have to wear shoes! E Komo Mai!
Can't complain. Life, for all of us I'm sure has had its ups and downs. But I feel pretty lucky and very loved.
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