6.5 Years of Dedication

Today is a big day in our house. My husband is graduating with his MBA after three years in night school while working full-time. Not only that but he also received a certification last summer that he had been working on for over five years. So today marks the end of over a six and a half year journey toward his goals.

6.5 years ago we were in our twenties. We were engaged with no idea what was ahead. Very few of our friends had children. W was till President. No one had ever heard of Twilight.

Life has changed.

So in celebration of Mr. Preppy Cookie's accomplishment, I am inviting you on a trip down our memory lane highlighting events in our life that have taken place since he started this adventure.

Celebrated our wedding on the best day of my life to date.

Stood at the side of many friends on their own special days.

Enjoyed wonderful times with friends. Traveled, tailgated, remained passionate about our teams.

Found one of our favorite places on earth and returned three times.

2009 was the year of the baby.  SO many of our friends welcomed family additions.  Some of our friends' families have doubled or even tripled  since Mr. Preppy Cookie began his endeavors.

2009 was also the year that he came to me saying he wanted to pursue his dream of going to grad school.

While others moved on in different ways, we set off down our own path.

Held a friend’s baby in the NICU.

Learned the art of attending weddings and events alone.  Played the role of "third wheel" more than a time or two.

Watched one of my best friend’s daughter go from second grader to teenager.

Cried with another best friend over the loss of her daughter…and celebrated their miracle.

Turned 30...and then some.

Had a little too much fun at my 10 year high school reunion.  Received the invitation to the 15^th reunion.

Survived the Blizzard of 2010, the earthquake of 2011 and several hurricanes of both the meteorological and real-life varieties (not to mention the alcoholic variety we enjoyed during our 2012 New Orleans Sugar Bowl trip.)

Welcomed Millie into our lives.  Snuggled with her in "the big chair" on many nights home alone.  Celebrated her birthday four times.

Lost one of my closest family members.  Mourned the loss of friends’ loved ones.  

Spent time with family.  Ate dinner nearly ever Sunday at my parents' house.

Decorated seven Christmas trees.

Honeymooned in the Caribbean. Had one of the best nights of our life watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle while drinking a beer we bought out of a random man's backpack.  Rode an overnight train from Germany to Venice.  Partook in a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Hiked the trails of Cinque Terre. Wandered the streets of Rome. Went skiing out west.

Walked on the Great Wall.  Biked through Shanghai.  Visited family and friends living in Thailand.  Learned that my husband had passed the third and FINAL portion of the CFA on the beaches of Koh Samui. 

Celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary in Hong Kong.

Watched my brother get married.

Gained family members. 

Held my goddaughter as she was baptized.

Attended nearly as many children’s birthday parties as we did weddings.

Moved into our first home together, packed it up and purchased another one.

Friendships evolved. Many grew, few failed.

Other high and low points include:

• Fell victim to the economy, lost a job. Everything eventually worked out as it should have.
• Started a small BUSINESS.
• Gained and lost 30 pounds...twice.
• Made it halfway through our frivolous goal of cheering on our teams at every BCS bowl.
• Received unconditional support from family and friends.

 It has not always been smooth sailing but the good far outweighed the bad.

There is no one I would have rather cheered on these past 6.5 years. 

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. PC! I love you.  I am immensely proud of you. Thank you for your dedication to our future.

Now let's celebrate. :)

Cheers to the Class of 2013!