I've done gradumated!

Just in case you were worried, be assured there is a tremendously long entry waiting about leaving Hiram. Though I doubt anyone was worried. But still, don't worry. Ok?

Well, I could fit all of graduation day into one paragraph, but for clarity's sake I'll put the sentences in several:

Was late for my induction into Phi Beta Kappa, and ran into Dave's grandparents--who did not recognize me at first--in the lounge. They were looking for Dave, and so I took them to him (he wasn't wearing any pants when he answered the door, so that was good times. Then I ran to the Kennedy Center for a crappy breakfast. . .who ever thought 8:45 the morning of graduation would be a good idea? Anyway, I got inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and signed my name in their book--I didn't sign in blood so i think my soul will be ok. Actually the ink matched my teal blue sweater. Then I found my parents, and sent they to Hayden while I changed to better underpinnings and added my engagement ring. Then back to Hayden for the Baccalaureate.

Slingerland tells us that basically we cannot anticipate what lies ahead. That's pretty much the case.

Then we crowded into the KC 2nd floor for a reception, Prudy gave my parents a present, and we all feasted on cheese and fruits and such. Then I ran back to my room, for I had to grab my robe and silly graduation hat, and get down to the Field House in under 10 minutes--fortunately most things in Hiram are never more than five minutes away from anywhere else. Lined up at the Field house, in alphabetical order. That took about 15 minutes, while we then had to wait for 45 minutes for the actual ceremony. Then we processed out to huuuuge crowd--got some cheers from Dave's family, although I couldn't see mine at first.

Eventually, we were all seated & baking well in our black nylon gowns. The ceremony went on for a looong time, but I enjoyed our commencement speaker. Most everyone else did not, and looked at me funny when I laughed at his jokes. That was rather dissapointing, to enjoy the speaker that apparently everyone else was either tired, offended, or confused by. So he's gay? So he said "bitchy"? So what? Oh well.

So quickly, I was standing on the ramp, waiting for my name to be called. That is what I remember: my hand was on the wooden railing and the guide was telling me to stand right there--it reminded me of waiting in line for a ride on a rollercoaster. ..stand behind the line and wait for your turn. And then all of a sudden I was walking off the stage with a diploma in my hand. I don't remember anything in between very well. And that was it, I was graduated.

We walked through the gauntlet of professors in their garb, on either side of our procession, clapping and cheering. It's funny, for everyone else it seems like such a cheerable thing. But I just wanted to be somewhere quiet. I'm proud of myself for making it, complete with a summa cum laude and departmental honors--all that worrying and overachieving counted for something. But really, I wasn't amazed that I was graduating. I knew I could do that. I knew I would. What inspired awe from me was the end of Hiram in my life. But that is fodder for another entry.

I found Dave, and said goodbye to one or two people--who probably deserved hugs but I gave handshakes instead, hugs are funny things. I couldn't find my folks, so I stayed for pictures with Dave and his family. At one point, I slipped and said I needed to go find "my other parents" which was one of those nice slip-ups (as opposed to the Freudian ones, for example). Eventually found my family, and cleared out my room. It was very nice to have full grown siblings and and strapping young fiancee to clear stuff out. I didn't carry anything but my backpack to the car--that was a first. Both families decided we'd go to Rockne's for dinner, which was good, because I was dead-set on a cheeseburger after a long day.

Dinner was a great end to a gigantic day. I had a bacon cheeseburger (two patties, I found out) and onion rings. . .ahhh. Everyone looked tired. But the biggest reward was finally getting our two families together for dinner. They not only seemed to get along but also talked comfortably with one another. The two little sisters, Liz and Jill Marie, at first looked unhappy to be seated next to eachother, but then I found them later in the bathroom giggling with one another. They stayed there for ten minutes I think. You can never tell how teenage girls will get along, but they seemed to be having a fine time.

As we left Rockne's, hugs were given all around, and it was happiness--except for giving Dave up for most of the summer. That was better not to think about. The thing is, we left like one big family, instead of two. Ok, so it's really only Dave and I that are getting tied up together in the matrimony thing . .. . but I also fell in love with Dave's family the first time I met them. I wanted to be a part of that family as well as a part of Dave's life. And it was a relief to see that the families liked one another.

We got home around 11PM, and I was passed out despite my lack of a pillow. Little Mocha, our puppy, was bigger, but not by much. I slept for 14 hours. The end?