Congratulations!!

Well, a significant chapter of life has just ended, and even though it wasn't my book of life, I definitely could feel its effects. Mike graduated this past Saturday from WMU, and the day was filled with celebration for five years of hard work. The ceremony was beautiful and I can't describe the elated feeling I got when I watched him walk across the stage and receive his degree--he's a teacher now, rather than a student. I can only imagine how incredible it must've felt. Up until this point, your life has been spiraling towards the day when you finish your education and move on to "real life." Perhaps only a few of us have ever really thought about what exactly happens after that.

Watching him leave WMU, the place where we met, fell in love, and dedicated a few solid years of our lives to, was a bittersweet, happy/sad sort of moment. I was immeasurably proud, excited and thrilled for his accomplishment. I've been at his side for three of those five years, and I witnessed first hand the effort he put into making this day happen. And yet, at the same time I realized that we had now both said goodbye to that place. Kalamazoo isn't home anymore, and WMU isn't our school anymore. The apartment we shared for practically two years is now empty, and ready to receive new tenants. So many memories happened around that campus, but now they are only memories. Eventually we'll return, and as we drive by we'll ask each other "remember when?" Every story we have begins with that university.

I took many pictures of the ceremony and the hours afterwards. The whole thing seemed surreal, but here's proof that it did indeed happen! Now that we're in this aftermath, I've made it back to Big Rapids for one more final push towards the end of my own school year. I can't wait to pack up my room and move back home for a nice long break. And I have a car!! I'll take pictures of it when school is out and I've moved. :)

Until then, congratulations Mike! Even if you don't realize it yet, you've achieved something truly amazing. I am so very, very proud of you.
:)