Graduation started early for me. Well ... I guess waking up at 8 isn't super early but it sure felt early. I woke up and got ready for the day in my new dress and high heels that my mom had spoiled me with on my birthday. I had to be at the Mariott in Provo by 9 for pictures and lining up before the commencement. Just after we were finished taking pictures my Dad came outside to where we were taking pictures to find me. He saw me in my cap and gown and grinned ear to ear. Seeing his expression of how proud he was of me just made me beam and made me so happy to have worked so hard and made my dad proud. After that he walked me in to show me where my mom, sister, and Nick were sitting. They all had that same look on their face and I was beaming! After that I went to line up with my class and let the fun begin. The speeches were good but I couldn't wait to do 'the walk'. I never got to do this in high school so this was my moment! And I have to admit it wasn't as fantastic as I thought it would be! haha I had my 20 seconds of fame, got my diploma, shook some hands, and sat back down. But hey, at least now I can say 'I did it!' After the ceremony it was time for pictures with everyone in my cap and gown and then time for a break. The pinning ceremony wasn't until 2 so Nick and I had a few hours to burn. We went to Einstein Bagels and grabbed some lunch, went to Kohls to find him some church pants, Walmart to grab a few things we needed at home, then headed to UVU for the pinning ceremony. That, by far, was my favorite. This was just my nursing program peeps. My teachers and a classmate spoke, we had a slideshow of pictures from the program that made us all laugh and get all nostalgic, and we received our pin. Grandma Becky, mine, and Nicks family were all there. It was such an aweseome feeling to see how proud they all were of me. After the pinning ceremony and some more pictures we all went to pig out at Golden Corral. My cute mom, of course, being the wonderful and talented party planner that she is decorated the table so cute and nurse-y. She even made a graduation cap cake for Nick because hello! He has graduated too! I can't even describe the feeling of accomplishment I have. Nursing school was the hardest most exhausting thing I have ever done (Besides the whole placing miss Malia for adoption thing. That was a MILLION times harder and emotionally draining) But still, nursing school was pretty stinking hard! And I did it! And it is already paying off! I get to start the job of my dreams in a week, Nick and I are looking for a new place, and I now have so much more time to spend with my hubby and time for myself too!
Best part of my day though? The jewelry box that was sitting at my place setting at the restaurant from my parents. Inside was a heart necklace. On the inside of the heart it says 'daughters fill our days with sunshine and our hearts with happy memories'. The best part? My daddy picked it out. I may have teared up a little. I am the luckiest.
