One dream realized

I haven’t yet blogged about the biggest event that has happened in my life since giving birth to my youngest son: my college graduation. That’s right, I am now a college grad! It took me 12 years and a different path to finish my bachelors degree, but I made it. And I couldn’t be more happy. One dream has been realized.

I invited my entire family and ended up with about 12 people here (not including the 5 of us) to celebrate with me. I decided last fall that I was walking and going through the entire ceremony, rain or shine (though I hoped for no rain!). I was so thrilled that my parents were able to come out, along with one set of my in-laws and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, my sister and brother-in-law and my 18 month old niece as well as my aunt. It meant so much to me to have my family here to witness what we all worked so hard for.

It isn’t the path I had originally intended to take. But I learned long ago that God has a plan for me that is different that the one I have for myself. My degree is in Political Science, which was something I never intended. It just worked out that way. But I’m also happy to announce that I have been accepted to graduate school here at Nazareth College and will be starting a masters program in Inclusive Childhood Education on August 30th. In 2 years, I’ll have a teaching degree and will have fulfilled my life-long dream of being a teacher.

Sitting on the football field that day was a surreal experience. But aside from being really, really cold, it was a great experience, too. I couldn’t believe I was actually sitting there, about to be conferred with my degree (which has yet to come in the mail, btw). I couldn’t believe I had actually done it. And I still can’t! It seems so completely awesome that I just can’t wrap my brain around being called a college graduate! It also seems unreal to me that in 2 years, I’ll be a teacher! Something I’ve wanted to be since I was 4 years old (yes, my mom and dad can confirm that!).

I am so glad that the boys are old enough to really understand the gravity of the situation. They were probably the most proud of anyone there in the audience watching me. Brian said they sat there with a smile on their faces from ear to ear the whole time! For weeks before and after they could do nothing but talk to their friends and their teachers about it. Anytime I went to their school, everyone I ran into said something to me about it. It was really very touching. I really hoped it would be an event that they would remember and say in the future that if it was important enough for me to do, even at 30 years old, it should be important for them, too. I am confident that that is exactly what happened.