It wasn't the first time she's worn the funny hat,
and it won't be the last...
But I'm pretty sure it will be the one dearest to her heart.
It has been four wonderful years...
But it's time for the Practical One to put on the funny outfit.
We spent a long weekend in Macon leading up to the festivities on Saturday afternoon.
And then, far too soon,
the music began
and the names were called...
and the names were called...
The conferring of degree to the College of Liberal Arts
And then to the Stetson School of Business...
Because this was a family affair, you see. We had two graduates,
The Practical One and The Professional Princess.
They are first cousins
And you know that term best friend for life?
They invented it.
Someday I'll yak all about that.
A kiss for the Duchess...
And hugs for dear friends.
Don't let the smiles fool you...
It was a tearful weekend.
Because no matter how they try to camouflage it with words like
commencement,
It still feels an awful lot like good-bye.
*****
Congratulations to our college graduates.
Look out, world...
39 comments:
Congrats to your daughter! Graduations for the graduates are always bittersweet! Wishing her well as she continues on with her education!
Such a great post Debbie! Congrats to the girls, it truly is an exciting time:@)
Oh, what a special post Debbie and what an absolutely beautiful girl (and girls!)! They know how to rock the fabulous shoes that is for sure. :-) I loved the first pic where she is standing on that quote about Baptists...I'm sure that was strategic, huh? I know you are one proud mama!
Blessings,
Vanessa
This was a wonderful post to read with my coffee! I wish both your daughter and niece all the very best life has to offer. Very speedy job-hunting, too. I love the photo with the Dutchess. She must be so happy and proud. Blessings to you and your family. xo,
I remember those days well Debbie, its been some time since my kids said goodbye to college but I still get a smile on my face reveling in their accomplishments. Your daughter is beautiful and I'm sure you're just as proud as punch for her. Oh and please tell her that I love her shoes!
Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations to all of you. We will be celebrating our daughter's high school graudation in two weeks. Yes, I do remember all the crying when our son graduated in 2008. I've been crying all year, I think. Then college and weddings and oh my goodness, the crying never ends, does it? Tears of joy though.
Blessings!!
From one college grad mom to another...tears of sadness and tears of joy! I cannot believe they are grown and about to be totally on their own. I sort of wish they were still sitting in chairs in front of the oven waiting for cookies. Sigh. Time marches on and so must we. (kicking and screaming).
Such a lovely tribute to our beautiful, grown-up but still attached-at-the-hip daughters. It's been a grand ride for the first 22 years. I'm planning on some weddings and grandchildren in the future!! Hold on tight sister, here we go......
Congratulations not only to MD and the niece, but to you Debbie, and your DH for raising such wonderful girls .... or should I say "young women."
You all should be proud.
Cheers!
Congrats to both The Practical One and The Professional Princess. I'm so proud for y'all!!! Although, I wasn't expecting to cry today. I can't even think of pomp and circumstance without welling up. Did you cry like a baby?
Beautiful pictures, by the way. I love the last one!!!! Gorgeous!
Congratulations to The Practical One and The Professional Princess!! I know you are so proud Debbie! Makes your heart just swell up so big it's a wonder it doesn't burst!! Kudos to all!
I love. love. love. the first photo!! That should be in a contest somewhere!!
blessings ~tanna
I've got goose bumps! How clearly I recall those same days... huge milestones, for kids and for parents. (not to mention pocketbooks) )
I can't wait to see the next steps for these precious girls!!
xo
Congrats to the practical one! And to you too for raising such a lovely and accomplished lady. I went to a graduation this weekend as well but my pics do not compare to all the great ones you got to commemorate the occasion. Thanks for sharing these. God bless!
What a proud mother you must be. I am so happy for all of you. That is a big deal!
I thought you had two daughters there - was one a cousin and one a daughter or do you have another daughter? Just Checking.
Congrats!
Sandie, I DO have two daughters at the same school. Miss Whimsy is just finished her freshman year. We're not very creative I guess.
And Tanya, I cried four separate times. When she came in, when she got the diploma, when they conferred the degree, and when they sang the alma mater.
What a waterworks I am.
Debbie,
What better way to spend a weekend than to celebrate the graduations of Miss Practical and the Professional Princess! I know how fast these years go by. Soon it will be Miss Whimsey's turn and they will enter another phase of thier lives and you will ride that carousel with them. It is an amazing ride and I will be waiting and watching for all updates!
~Jean
Oh Boy, you almost made me cry here. LOL! Congrats to your beautiful practical one. She looked amazing and I loved her shoes too, very classy! I think that's wonderful she graduated with her cousin and closest friend. Congrats to them both!
What a wonderful day! You must be so proud of your beautiful daughter and her BFF! Great photos to treasure too.
Oh congratulations to you all..oh, I love the quote at her feet!!! Great!!!
I was all tears at our first son's graduation...because then I knew I hadn't messed him up for life by home schooling him...LOL
It is the greatest feeling and yes, watch out world, as God releases this next generation to continue His work!!
Beautiful pictures, wonderfully proud moments...beautiful girls!! Oh I have a 25 year old son available...LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, Congratulations all around! What a great time of life for Ms. Practical and keep us posted on her bright future.
well, surprise, surprise!! A college grad!! congratulations, Debbie. You must be so proud. She looks pretty proud, that's for certain! Love the last shot, that one needs to be framed!
xo
lynn
Awww ... what a sweet post. Congratulations to your daughter on her great achievement. It's hard, watching them leave the nest, but it's what we also want them to do ... find their own way in the world. And, quite frankly, I pretty much love my empty nest. :) I bet you will, too.
Hooray for her! Hooray for all of you!
Congratulations for your daughter! It is bittersweet. My son graduated high school yesterday, it was an emotional day. He is on his way to adulthood. Thanks for visiting my blog. Sherry
*Fabulous* photos! Been missing you, but had a sneaky suspicion you were off celebrating a pretty darn major life milestone (and not just for Miss Practical)! Congrats to her and you. Shoot, four times isn't that bad. I think I cried four times today and it was just a regular ol' Monday. ;)
I love the last photo! Congratulations to your beautiful daughter, You must be so proud!!
Carol
...and I have goose bumps after this lovely blog. Seems MD was just taking those first steps into high school....
Congrats MD! The world is yours for the taking and I know you'll continue to soar and make your parents proud! God bless you.
Debbie, thanks so much for sharing that oh-so-sweet picture of the Duchess and 2 of her favorite girls. I love it!
Congratulations!!! I love this pictorial ... especially the last shot; kinda put a lump in my throat, ya know?
OK, this sounds stupid ... butI nearly had tears in my eyes just LOOKING at the Commencement scenes and imagining "Pomp & Circumstance" being played. Crazy, but that song always triggers my "water works"!
Congratulations to the Practical One (and the Professional Princess). The Duchess couldn't look more proud, and I know the parents are also.
Blessings,
Joan
The days are long and the years are short, aren't they?
Debbie, this whole post gave me a lump in my throat, because I remember those days like it was yesterday, and it was 10 YEARS ago. I just added it up and I simply can not believe it was 10 years ago ~ there's a blog post in there somewhere that's for sure!
You captured the day perfectly, {new camera must be working well} and I love the picture of grandma and her girls. But, oh my, that last one was tear jerker for sure. sob....
But now the fun really begins with the all grown up daughter. I know you will enjoy every moment. {which reminds me of the song by Joy Williams ~ Every Moment. If you don't know it go to You Tube and listen}
Have a wonderful day
Sue
Oh, such happy congratulations to Miss Practical!! She is adorable, and looks like the smartest graduate I've ever seen!
You all must be so proud of her.
But, it's a bittersweet moment, isn't it? That last photo pretty much summed it up - for Mom and child, both. I had some waterworks just reading your post. (I should be a major stockholder in Kleenex...)
This was also the first photo I've seen of the Duchess - I love putting a face to her many tales.
Thanks, friend, for sharing this lovely post.
Again, congrats...
A lot of love and emotions went into this post!
Wow... brings tears to my eyes.
It's always hard to say good-by.
Great post, Debbie -- and congratulations to both of your family's graduates. What memories are running through my head right now... Five years ago our youngest graduated from Sanford; six years ago the oldest graduated from college in England. My how time flies! Can't wait to see where life takes your sweet daughter. May God's richest blessings be hers!
This post made me misty eyed as I read it. Congratulations, I loved looking at all the pictures...lots of new beginnings ahead
Congratulations! Pray God blesses your future.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Congratulations to you all on such a wonderful day and celebration! What beautiful girls and gorgeous campus. I know you were all proud of their accomplishments and excited for the next chapter in their lives! Congrats again!
Sharlotte
Hi Debbie,
Had to go back and catch up some. Congratulations on your daughters graduation, and I do know what you mean about what commencement feels like!
No laughing matter, that's for sure, but unfortunately, that is how life is....I think I am gonna be asking the Lord about that when we get to heaven!! lol
Especially if my kids ever move way away from here again!!
What lovely young ladies you have there, and how nice that they went to the same college. Precious, and so neat they are such great friends.
Hope your tears have dried by now!!
Blessings hon,
Nellie
Gosh I can't believe how fast four years went by, weren't we just discussing senior Prom. Sniff sniff.
Such beautiful young ladies and more importantly SMART!! God truly has blessed you and hubby.
How did I miss this post? I passed right by it on the way to Red Beard's Ghost. (Beats making pictures out of clouds, huh?)...it is really a beautiful post. It took me right back to my graduation from the College of Pharmacy at UGA. It does feel an awful lot like goodbye - and it is. Sooooo bittersweet. Good luck to both girls. My Mama and Daddy both graduated from Mercer in Macon and did very well in life. These girls are off to a wonderful start!
And this post made me realize how fast it will happen in this Nutcase household. I will feel like I blinked, and they will be gone. What beautiful pictures. Congratulations on her graduation.
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