I don’t remember much about my college graduation. The 4 months between taking my last final and wearing my cap and gown were a blur. Graduation seemed slightly anti-climatic after everything that had happened since I finished my last class.
I can picture myself taking the long walk from my seat up to and across the platform to receive my diploma. A college graduate! Amazing.
I remember spending time with my family before and after the ceremony. I remember that my in-laws made the long trip to celebrate the day with us. I remember the dress I wore, the beautiful April weather, and the flowers in front of my grandparents’ house.
I remember how proud and excited I was four and a half years earlier when I received my acceptance letter to BYU. I loved my college years and I was always determined to graduate. Getting a degree was an important concept drilled into my head by my mother. In my mind, not graduating was not an option. But when my graduation finally came, my diploma was not the most important thing that I held.
I graduated in April 1997. All of the other excitement that day was trumped by one person who sat in the audience, cheering me on as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma.
She was 4 months old, born just 7 days after I had finished my last requirement for graduation. When I found out I was pregnant just 11 months after CandyMan and I got married, I was rather shocked. When I looked at the calendar and realized that I would be student teaching during my last trimester and taking tests up until her due date, I panicked. I had worked so hard for my degree. I had attended 4 1/2 years of classes (not an easy task) and done well despite myself. Adding a pregnancy into the equation felt like a last challenge to trip me up. But I did it.
When she came, everything else that had seemed so important was overshadowed by the overwhelming experience of being a first time mom. Suddenly, studying into the wee hours of the night and falling asleep during class seemed like easy times. Motherhood was so much harder than being a student ever was. I realized that I had never been truly tired before. And the excitement I felt when I got an A on a big test – or even when I was handed my diploma – was nothing compared to the joy of seeing my little girl smile.
I’m grateful that I had the chance to go to a good school and get a degree. I’ve put it to good use over the last 14 years. But Motherhood has definitely been the best class I’ve ever taken, and I didn’t need that one to get my diploma. My classes might have ended in December 1996, but the real learning began when I had that little baby girl.
I’m glad she was in the crowd that graduation day, cheering her mama on.
This post was sponsored by Tiny Prints, but the story….that’s all my own.
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I have mused on this VERY subject as well at Mormon Mommy Blogs — https://www.mormonmommyblogs.com/2011/05/romance-hearts-of-children.html
When I was a teen and young adult, everyone assumed I was Broadway bound. As it turned out, my audiences have averaged around two, three, or four loyal fans. On a big night I might pack the house with six or eight. But I could not have asked for a more illustrious career or a more ardent fan club: I always get a standing ovation cuz’ when Mommy (or Grandma) sings, she can do NO wrong.
Feeling good about that began many years ago when I attended a keynote presentation at a Florida homeschool convention. The speaker, a young father with a guitar and a pony-tail, told ten thousand adults (in-between folksy musical numbers) that we needed to “romance the hearts” of our children. There is joy and family unity in “dazzling” children with our gifts and talents, he said. Win their love and loyalty by sharing with them your genuine passions..
I’m not sure why twitter popped up as Alameda – I think it autofilled it. It’s actually @ETsmommy….
This made me tear up. Saturday was my college graduation, and my 5 year old was sitting in the audience, waving at me. I didn’t think I was going to cry, but when I looked up and saw him so excited, I choked.
(I didn’t go to college right after high school, but rather, I started when my little guy was 6 months old. That has made this all so much sweeter – he has seen everything that I’ve done in regards to college, and was still excited to see me walk across the stage!)
what a sweet story! Glad you done it! Graduated of course…
Me I’m still trying to get back on course from being off…
*sigh*
My husband went back to school several years to finish his degree. He almost didn’t “walk” on the day of his graduation. He felt like he was too old. I made him do it! I told him our kids needed to see why their father had spent so many hours away from his family. Our boys were bursting with pride when they saw their dad! It is one of our great family memories…and I am glad we were able to share it!
Oh, that was so sweet! You’re right about parenthood being on giving us the toughest lessons, yet the rewards and fulfillment one gets out of being a parent is incomparable. =)
What a sweet little cheerleader:-)