We did it

Well, today was the big day. We did it. Diplomas in hand, caps in the air. The Class of 2014 has achieved its long-awaited goal. Fifty-six seniors. Fifty-six graduates.

Today was bittersweet.

Driving into the parking lot before graduation, I thought to myself how this would be the last time all these familiar cars would be together in one lot. I saw the mint blue Mazda, the silver Jeep, the little Chevy, and the thought was almost sad. There'd been so many mornings of being late for school and trying to find a single open spot in the good lot among the familiar vehicles. 

Making my way inside the building, I donned my cap and gown with my fellow classmates; there was a rush of excitement--exchanging pictures and memories, brushing up harmonies to the F-R-I-E-N-D-S theme song, and frantically trying to frame our caps perfectly around our hair.

We lined up and headed down to the Reese Center, a sense of nostalgia filling the air as we spent our last collective moments together in the halls of the school we called home. The emotions welled up as the processional music repetitively resounded throughout the gymnasium. Two by two and three by three we made our way to the front, as the ceremony began.

Throughout the speeches, musical performances, and picture slideshow, I couldn't prevent a few tears from welling up in my eyes. Four, six, thirteen years is a long time to spend with the same group of people. This group, a pseudo family of sorts, has seen one another through the good times and bad, the tests, the homework, the practices, games, and championships, the musicals, the concerts, the laughter, and the tears. We've played together, learned together, and grown together.

Over the past several months, I've come to appreciate my senior class in ways I hadn't thought possible until now. It's as though as we all realized time was running out, we clung to the minimal time we had left. Despite our differences, we came together as one and learned to appreciate the gift of friendship that has been handed to us. I only wish our eyes would have been open sooner. 

Unfortunately, after graduation we are all pulled in various directions; it is my prayer that we won't let go of the memories, the valuable lessons we've learned, the friendships we've forged, and the sentiment we've bottled up inside, the sentiment that we'll fondly recall when we look upon our high school days; I hope that no matter where life takes us or where we end up, when we return to this place, we may always call it home. 

To my classmates, thank you for a memorable senior year, a wonderful time of high school, and for all the memories, laughs, and good times we've had. I will truly cherish them all. Best of luck in the coming years… Let us never forget who we are, Whose we are, and where we came from.