How cool is commencement on the National Mall? Washington Monument on one side, and the Capitol on the other. It was a joyous day filled with celebration…and lots of walking, sitting and sun.
The mall was packed with chairs, screens and some of the prettiest summer dresses I’ve ever seen! I can’t wait to get my body back (you know, sometime before next summer…) to wear one!
Dave sat up with the Law School grads, and we sat on the end of an aisle, further back. We arrived early and had our pick of seats. The forecast showed rain, and then pleasantly surprised us with lots and lots of sun. I was happy to have the umbrella to help block the rays, even though it caused a little issue for a woman a few rows back. We ended up moving a little and the event went great.
This little man did fantastic. We walked a little and strolled a little, then fed him snacks and snacks and snacks. He sat comfortably in his stroller and Oma entertained him. He is a good good kid.
After the commencement, we lunched at Johnny Rockets, because it was close to the school and the location of the walking ceremony. Milo downed my chocolate malt almost without taking his mouth off of the straw. I’m in trouble when this little boy turns into a teenager!
Our graduate and his proud parents.
My dear father, and the no-longer-a-law-school-family.
(I love this shot, but it is a lesson for me in putting the focal point back on auto before handing off the camera to someone else…see how the background is crisp and we’re all blurry? My fault. I’ve been shooting in manual for about six months trying to improve my photo skills, and sometimes it bites me in the bum;)
Does it get any sweeter than a little boy excited for his dad?
The Law School walking ceremony was great. I loved watching all those black robes file in. You can see Dave’s little smiling face there on the second row behind the first empty chair. Milo and I spend the majority of the ceremony in the hallway, but we made it back in time for Milo to walk the stage with his dad. Our Law School baby. Born one day after and two days before Dave’s first semester finals. Good timing, eh?
And there he is, my graduate.
We have had a delightful experience these last three years, and somehow maintained a lot of balance in life. I am as proud of Dave’s accomplishments as a husband and father as I am of his good performance in school.
We managed to make it through all three years without Dave missing more than a handful of family dinners, Family Home Evenings, bath and bedtimes. He always took time to give me a break from my mothering duties, and play with Mister Milo even if he had something to work on (and when does a Law Student not?)
The all nighters, stressful papers, flash card dates, oral arguments, stacks of heavy books on the floor of our room, month-long Christmas vacations, student discounts, and commutes to class will end. And in their place, now we begin BAR studies, and in a couple months full-time employment, both of which I’m sure will compete with law school in required commitments. But I know life will be wonderful.
Because it already is.
