The Graduation of the Decade

Shawn and I started out this journey 10 years ago. Wowzers!
He has been in school every single day of our marriage (I know, except holidays, but you get what I mean). 
And on Friday, May 19th it came to an end.

THERE ARE NO WORDS!

It was a little surreal sitting there, watching Shawn graduate. Contrary to what he wrote on his application essay…. he had NO idea what he wanted to do with himself after receiving his Bachelors in Chemistry. The extent of his Optometric knowledge was that they prescribe glasses, period. This all changed when he kept a friend company on a road trip to Southern California to check out an Optometry school. Shawn was just going along for the ride. He called me that day and his exact words were, “I have decided to become an Optometrist.” I actually laughed (is that mean?) But seriously, your husband leaves in the morning, and has his future planned by the afternoon…. okay?

And here we are, 4 years later…. with that future fulfilled!
The journey was not easy for any of us. The dean of Optometry laid out the facts that over the course of his schooling, Shawn has:
“Sat through 1,710 hours of lecture
Participated in 690 hours of lab exercises
Took 72 midterms
35 written final exams
5 lab finals
Passed at least 35 mini proficiencies
Passes 1 big proficiency at the end of the second year
They spent 1,960 hours in clinic
and for the privilege they paid $42 per hour”

But he’s not the only one who had to endure that. Those stats were our life. I’ll spare you from going on and on. Let me just say that when I look at that diploma I feel like they omitted 4 names: Kristina, Jefferson, Grant, and Reagan. Maybe I’ll scribble our names lightly on the back… no one will know but me (well, and you now).

Friday morning the graduates had a “Hooding Ceremony”, where they received their hoods together as a class. It was intimate and emotional. Shawn’s friend, Dave Glabe, gave an AMAZING valedictorian speech. The keynote speaker gave 7 useful tips for entering the field of Optometry and ended with the emotional advice that none of them forget the importance of putting their families first. The school hosted a simple lunch… and we rushed home to get our kids ready for the commencement ceremony.

I know…. pictures already!!! Here they come…

Here we are waiting for the graduates to enter. I know it meant a lot to Shawn to have 4 of his brothers in attendance. L to R: Ryan, Aaron, Monty. Nick is busy with the video camera I put him in charge of. My boys spend most of the ceremony listening to an audiobook.

Reagan and Aaron.

Monty, Shawn’s dad... just waiting in the heat!

As soon as the band started playing “Pomp and Circumstance” I was a blubbering baby. Like I said earlier, it was surreal.
   

I was sitting in the aisle and Shawn walked right by me to his seat… which didn’t help my blubbering emotions. But I felt lucky to be able to steal one last kiss. Here he is walking into the stadium.
   

And… he sat 3 rows in front of us. I guess sitting in the back can have its advantage…. for taking excellent ‘back-of-the-head’ shots!

The ceremony itself was 2 hours long. It was a pretty hot day…. but I cannot complain because it poured rain for the next 4 days following. This is what Reagan did during the ceremony….

And the boys, well, this is what they did while they waited for their Dad….

Finally, Shawn’s name was called. I remember thinking how lucky he was to have a ramp to walk up…. he had been so paranoid of tripping.

Being Hooded by the Dean of Optometry
  

And receiving his diploma….

Walking back to his seat as Shawn Skinner O.D. (Doctor of Optometry) It’s almost as if he got more handsome since walking off the stage, don’t you think?

Wow, even the back of his head is better looking!

And here’s Shawn walking out of the stadium. Don’t his shoulders look lighter?

The ceremony was over… it was picture time…..
Here’s a shot of everyone who came to support Shawn. His parents, his 4 brothers, my mom, and us of course. I know what a sacrifice it was for everyone to fly up here, and we thank you!

Shawn’s parents, Monty and Peggy.

The brothers. L to R: Monty, Nick, Shawn, Ryan (nice smile), and Aaron.

Shawn and my mom

My mom and I. Looks like I’m giving her a tummy punch!

There was a group of guys who stuck together through all 4 years. Here’s the bunch. Just look at these handsome Doctors.
L to R: Devin Farr, Eric Johansen, Colton Crowther, Aaron Cole, Shawn, Brandon Reed, Dave Parkinson, Dave Glabe, Seth Jensen, Scott Pitts

And us wives… I could not have survived without these girls! I’m serious. Do NOT go to graduate school without making a group of friends like these… you will die otherwise. That is my one piece of advice. That, and also that the years really do fly by…. so don’t waste a moment with your friends!
L to R: Tana, Jen, Jenny, Claudia, Me, Jen, Tara, Brianne, Sierra, and Erin

All of us. We not only had Optometry school in common… we were neighbors (really really close neighbors), we had children woes, husband woes, financial woes, and more.  What a shock to leave this comfort behind and enter the REAL WORLD. We’re all going to different places across the U.S. This makes me sad, and saying goodbye was especially hard. But it’s not all doom and gloom, because………

We can FINALLY buy fabric at RETAIL!!!!!
at least that’s what has me jumping for joy.

It was hard to say goodbye to this girl in particular. I’m really going to miss you Jen…. but Georgia is only 6 hrs. from us… that’s nothin’

Shawn and Brandon… who not only graduated Optometry school together, but will graduate Officer Training together in 1 month…. oh scary, in an exciting way!

Our Family.

Some people may say that we did things backwards…. having children, then getting the career. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. True, there was sacrifice involved. But these children never wanted for anything! Shawn, you gave them what they all needed individually, and more! At their ages they will always remember their Dads’ graduation day. What an example you have set for them…. one they won’t just hear about you having accomplished…. one they could see (and be a part of). Take a look at these pictures….. One was taken right before Shawn began school, the other just last week. (Jefferson Hall was the building Shawn’s classes were held in). It’s clear how much our children grew over this 4 year journey.
  

Honey, I was such a proud wife on this day… actually, the effects are still lingering. I hope they always will. I know better than anyone what it took for you to get here. I laugh at the size of that ginormous diploma… but in fact, it’s not quite big enough!

I LOVE YOU!