Terrific read. Even though I was a 90s kid, this is very relatable for me. I don't know if it's still a popular thing to do nowadays (the roller rink I went to closed a while ago, anyways), but it's interesting that some things were still the same over a decade apart.
Any birthday party was always at a roller rink called Wheelies, and it was always a time where the boys and girls tried to push cooties aside and mingle a bit. Still awkward as hell though.
This song will forever be ingrained in my brain in relation to Wheelies:
I swear it was the only song they played. I still love that song though.