My body and brain may be exhausted from the weekend events and moving my daughter out of her apartment and back home, but my spirit is elated!

 My daughter graduated with a Bachelor of Science – Psychology from Longwood University!  

I was so proud at this moment after they has just said, “Ashley Michelle Jennings, Cum Laude!”   Ashley wanted so badly to match her grandmother’s achievement (my mom)  and graduate Magna Cum Laude and she missed it by just .3.   At that moment I heard the Cum Laude and felt huge pride, but worried that my daughter with the strong drive might be thinking that she had just barely missed her goal…

This is Ashley coming across the back after receiving her diploma and walking towards her family who had gotten up at 6:30 am and scored front row seats.  She was smiling at me as I was saying “Cum Laude, baby!”  and I got to hug her after this..

This is the other advantage to front row seating… A picture of her as she marched in the processional and more importantly that moment that every child hopes for when reaching such a milestone, among   a sea of over 8000 spectators, the absolute knowledge, that your family is among them… We are the parents who have always for every event in our children’s lives gotten their early to ensure this happens for them…

I have always joked when taking pictures of Ashley with her brothers that her destiny in life is to be surrounded by handsome men… She laughs now as an adult and says that sounds funny… From Left, Ryan my oldest(26), Ashley(21), Connor (13), my husband, Tom and Nicholas (17).  

The proud parents and their graduate… This dress was such a find for her as she really struggled to find to a dress that she liked and really was perfect!

Connor really was hamming it up and having so much fun taking photos of himself in her cap... So funny as he did the same thing 4 years ago after her high school graduation.  I see this and really feel the pressure as a home schooling mother to ensure that this is in his future.

Dear Readers, There really is nothing better than spending time as a family celebrating an amazing milestone!  I kept saying the entire day,”Pinch me! Can you really believe we are here at this moment?”   I think the hardest part of that day was the walk I took with Ashley, just her and I, from the car to the gymnasium before the ceremony.  She was sad about leaving Longwood University and we were remembering everything from our first visit  and so many other moments on Campus.  Her sadness and fear of what is next went straight to my already hurting heart as, I so wished I was sharing this moment with my own mother.  As I did the solitary walk from leaving her to the ceremony space I had to choke back the tears that so strongly kept coming in strong waves.  Ashley will be home for this next year, and her goal is to retake the GRE exam, get a job as a substitute teacher to make her more appealing as a Teacher Assistant and applying to grad schools.  Dear Readers, thanks for letting me share this time and my joy!

Gratitude:  I am so grateful that the rain and thunderstorms that threatened to ruin the ceremony hit twelve hours later than predicted.   I am grateful that my perfectionist daughter was happy with graduating Cum Laude and not lamenting over that .3 miss… I am so grateful that Ashley didn’t get into grad school immediately and will have this year to regroup as these past four years were very tough on her and I see her back to herself these last three weeks.  I am grateful to my husband and son’s for getting us those awesome seats.  I am grateful for the love and laughter of my family and the fun car ride home where I watched Ashley’s sadness at leaving Longwood take a back seat for now.  

And lastly what kind of fashion blogger would I be without this…

Me in my DVF dress that was originally thrifted and a gift from a friend, my shrug is thrifted and my navy pumps are from Payless. 

It’s Monday so time for linking up with Visible Monday and Watch What I’m Wearing!