<p>I was talking with my parents last night and realized how huge this is for them as well. They have had kids involved in my school district since 1984, and now they’re finally done. O.O</p>
<p>For the past week, I’d been so busy with senior activities and making sure everything is just so for the big day, I didn’t have time to think about the fact that I really was graduating.</p>
<p>But now, as I sit here, awake about 3 hours before I need to be for Senior Picnic, it finally hits me. Tomorrow is the last time I will ever see some of my closest friends, even though we promise we’ll keep in touch…we all know the reality. </p>
<p>I can’t believe four years can go by this fast. It seems like only a few months ago I was nervous about starting freshman year and not making any friends. </p>
<p>It’s just so weird to think that I’m not going back in the fall. What a very strange mix of emotions. :(</p>
<p>PS. The title is my school’s “theme” for graduation this year.</p>
<p>Congratulations and good luck tomorrow! I’m proud of you for realizing how important this day is to your parents. It is a huge milestone for them and not entirely happy. Bittersweet is the word, but it’s easy to forget the element of sadness and letting go.</p>
<p>If your friends are actually that close you’ll still see them. Especially with facebook it’s easy to keep in touch. I go to school out of state and during the summer I still see my close friends at least once a week. Anyway, congrats on making it through highschool and good luck with whatever comes next.</p>
<p>Senior Picnic was SO MUCH FUN…my Bible as Lit and Philosophy teacher (without whom I would not be graduating from my SLC) came up to me and goes, “I’ll give you a better hug tomorrow, but since you’re not my student anymore…” And gave me a hug. ^_^</p>
<p>It was so nice to spend some time with my friends and know that we don’t have to worry about classes anymore…we just sat on the baseball field, talking and reminiscing, for about 2.5 hours. So much fun.</p>
<p>And I got my cap and gown. Came home, tried it on, put on all my honor regalia and looked in the mirror…and started bawling. XD</p>
<p>Oh, what a sweet, sweet time. Drink it in and memorize every detail! We graduated “our baby” this year, so I sure know how your parents must feel.</p>
<p>Have a wonderful graduation. And don’t automatically assume you’ll won’t stay in touch with your high school friends. I still keep in regular touch with the three guys who were my best friends in high school. I also went on to marry another of my friends from HS, and we are still hitched today – just three weeks short of 30 years of marriage. If they are your real friends, you’ll stay in touch.</p>
<p>I just finished ironing my gown and stole, and I’ve been basically pampering myself all day. I took a bubble bath this morning, and then I just…hung out all day. It’s so nice.</p>
<p>Then I went to Cold Stone with my dad and picked out a cake for tonight after graduation (we’re having a bunch of people over).</p>
<p>The ceremony was very nice, which…we weren’t sure what to expect. 2 years ago things were VERY chaotic…there was even a firework shot off that burned the astro turf and cost my school $3,000 to replace.</p>
<p>So needless to say, they upped security quite a bit. But things were very nice. Very bittersweet.</p>
Very bittersweet.</p>