My baby has Graduated!

Been a very emotional day. My 2nd and last child, Haley, graduated today along with 676 other students from her high school. It was held at the arena at the University of Central Florida. 

I sat tall and proud and with tears streaming down my face. She's a blessing in everyway. 

Later, I had to say goodbye to my son as he is staying in Florida when the rest of us relocate on Monday. He's my baby too (24 is still a baby -- ask any mother!) 

Now, I am trying to see to write through the tears of joy and sadness. Life is about change but some are harder to take than others. 

Happy Saturday!

Congrats to Haley :)

Wow, Mandee!  My firstborn is Monday evening.  :)

Thanks Christine! :D

Hang on to those kleenex Paula -- you're in for a bumpy ride... Congrats! 

Congratulations. Next comes empty nest syndrome :)

All the best to you Mandee. What will your high school graduate be doing?

We just went with our daughter to college orientation on Thursday. She'll be starting in the fall and commuting from home.

Mandee I so remember crying when my youngest packed her car and was pulling away to go live in the Dorms at College.  Yes, it is a change...

Congrats to your daughter...and good luck with the move Monday.

Congrats to Haley and good luck with the move on Monday :)

I love the way you guys have a graduation at the end of High School - we dont do anything like that here until they graduate from University.

Thanks so much everyone! It seems I have a pattern in my life -- can't do just one change at a time. They come in groups! LOL Oh well, keeps things interesting! 

We are cleaning the apartment and loading our car this afternoon. Will leave in the morning to start our trip. Won't be on much until we arrive at my mom's middle of the week. 

The hardest part of all of this is leaving both kids in Florida. Haley will be joining us again soon but Brendan is here to stay. I bought lots of tissues for the trip -- think I will need them! 

@Cheryl -- Haley is staying down here for the summer with my brother and then starting at a community college in the fall in Indiana. Probably only one semester there. We have to establish residencey in Indiana so she can attend a state school starting the Spring semester. 

AJ: 05. Jun 2011, 05:17

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I love the way you guys have a graduation at the end of High School - we dont do anything like that here until they graduate from University.

Interesting! Yeah, we graduate a lot here in the US -- Pre-school, Kindergarten, 8th graders, High school and college. Guess we like a party! LOL

Congrats to Haley and I'm feeling for you Mandee...I remember being on an emotional roller coaster when my baby graduated...so excited for her BUT she was the baby.

Yep, we like to celebrate all sorts of stuff here in Indiana...love spreading that "Hoosier Hospitality" around. For those of you who aren't familiar...the nickname for someone from Indiana is Hoosier. Why? It is a mystery but we all seem to be pretty darn proud of being one. LOL!

Paula...excited for your Graduate too!

Oh what an exciting time, yall!   Yes, it's sad.  but............it's also a new beginning for you.  I have told this tale at least 100 times on line, but it's worth repeating.  When both of my children reached the age of 21, I had a real graduation for me.  My sister, a dear friend and I were at a retreat in the mountains.  I donned a graduation robe, we played pomp and circumstance and I "walked down the aisle" (in our hotel room), and I read my own Declaration of Independence and released my kids to their own adulthood.   It really made a big difference for me.  Somehow having a celebration made it seem more real.  I was still a mom, but my kids were adults.  That's hard to grasp sometimes.  But I finally got it!  lol   and you will, too!

PS - we started line dancing when our nest was empty.  we learned over 300 dances and danced 3 nights a week for about 4 years.  now that was fun!!!!!!!!!

And super huge congratulations to both of your precious graduates!!!!!!!   it's a lifetime milestone for sure!  Enjoy!

What a wonderful story Joan! I may need something along those lines... 

I remember my parents always told me they were parents for life -- I now understand what they meant. Letting go is just the hardest thing I've ever done. 

I'm trying to be of the mindset with my daughter that we are on vacation until she joins us after summer. It's easier to take. But with my son, that won't work -- he's on his own now. A piece of me will always be wherever he is. 

I'm smiling through my tears.