The Doodle (aka my daughter Laura) graduated today with a 2nd degree in Nursing from Samford University. I’m so proud I could POP. POP I tell you. When she graduated from University Of Alabama a few years back with her first degree, you kind of sit back and think… ok what next? She began talking about nursing, and then began this two and a half year journey that finished today. Remember when she first drove off after high school?
I have to tell you — I didn’t realize I was going to feel so…. sad! Don’t get me wrong.. I’m ecstatic she graduated and even spoke at pinning ceremony. A high honor for sure. Once again…. so proud I could POP! See?!!! I just popped. Literally.
I just dropped Jennie off — my girlfriend who accompanied me for the graduating festivities including the pinning on Friday and graduation today. It hit me like a brick wall. Her apartment in Birmingham will not be hers any longer. She’s accepted a job in Atlanta at Children’s Healthcare which is a BIG DEAL. She’ll be in NICU residency. I can’t even imagine. (popping again)
She’s moving out of her apartment in a week. Her nest in Birmingham. Where she’s studied hard, and ate sushi and lived for years now. She’s packing up to move back up to Atlanta. Her beau is there who I adore, Lee. I’m in Atlanta too where of course I’ll see her. I have homes in both Birmingham and Atlanta for business.
I can’t explain this sadness. It came out of left field. It makes me sad to know her apartment will not be hers any longer. She’s extremely ocd about being organized. Everything in it’s place. Her closet is just so – from shoes to dresses. Her backpack always full of books. Her class schedule and her planner. Her couch where she would sit for hours and regroup from a hard exam or study or just sleep.
I’m excited for her – gosh I love her so very much. I’m so proud of the smart, beautiful articulate driven woman she’s become. She’s not a little girl, or even a college student any longer. I’m biting my tongue begging her to start a master program or…. anything. She’ll be working now. No more Spring Breaks. No more can you bring me Chick fil A between classes. Can you get me Real and Rosemary I’m exhausted from studying. I’ve named her Nurse Doodle which I think she secretly likes. #nursedoodle I teased I would get her lab coat inscribed. She cringed but smiled.
I’m surprised by my reaction – it got worse the closer I got home. Thinking about her empty apartment. That’s what made all of this so real. I’m literally sitting here crying. Oh good grief. I think this is normal. Right?! It’s a huge passage. She’s turned the corner. She’s all grown up ‘really’ this time. Now on to her making her life her own.
Ok. I feel better now. I just needed to cry it out.
I really am so very very proud of her. Every test was a nail-biter. Every new semester harder than the one before. Then actually thinking about employment which she gained immediately before even graduating!! yes — I’m EXTERMELY proud of this girl. :::::beaming:::::::
She wanted to celebrate last night at Chez Fon Fon we had a blast!!! Long wait which is normal especially for a Friday evening. She glowed. She had just been pinned. Such an accomplishment. We toasted Nurse Doodle! Today was actual graduation. Celebrating all around!!! Cheers and woots!!!
Adulting is hard sometimes. Actually many times. Smiling again.
Humor me. Here’s all of these brilliant youngsters walking in to be pinned
This is the BEST PART — Laura Kennedy Davis speaking at pinning ceremony
This is graduation from Samford today. Skip up to 1:18 where she is announced. What a day!!!
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Cocktails at Seven 