Graduation Excitement!

Quite a picture isn't it! This is a picture of my brother, Robbie and I, on May 23, 2014 in my front yard on the day of my graduation. As one can infer from the photo, I was overflowing with excitement! THE DAY of my high school graduation had finally come! My brother and I were in such a jocular mood, laughing and making silly pictures like normal. I was excited about that night and for the entire weekend that was to follow.

I was dressed in this photo in all of my graduation garb...and one can see that my brother was not exactly dressed for the graduation ceremony yet. I was required to be at school about two hours earlier than any of my family because the seniors had to get one last practice in and had to get portraits taken. 

My family on the other hand did not have to be there that early, so their schedule was a bit different than mine. My brother, for example, had been working outside all day, resulting in his being drenched in sweat. 

But as one can see, I did not care that he was not in a suit or care that he was dripping in sweat! I was going to get a picture with him!...and of course being our attire was so different from each other's, we decided to take a funny picture instead of the traditional "Oh my goodness, I can not believe you are graduating" sappy picture. 

I remember I was ecstatic about what was about to happen! Graduation was that night and I was going to give a speech! I was not particularly nervous about the "getting up in front of people part"; I was more worried that I would not be able to make it through my speech without crying, for lots of emotions were going through my head at the time... Tears of happiness, I will add though...not tears of stress or sadness.

I was also joyous that some of my out-of-state family was able to come down for my graduation, for there was a time in the year that I was not sure if anyone was going to be able to make it. 

This next part, I was especially excited about! 

Following the reception, my mom was going to invite anyone who had come to my graduation ceremony to come over to our house for dinner!...And I got to choose what we were going to have! So I chose two of my favorite things to eat...my mom's homemade chili and...freshly-cut fruit salad! Oh how I do love my mom's chili! 

I even brought the recipe from home and made it in my dorm room! It was absolutely delicious!

The next day was going to be the graduation party at my house! We were going to have homemade, pulled-pork BBQ, coleslaw, chips, and watermelon! I love having company over to my house, so this was truly divine!

The party was Saturday, and then on Monday, my family and I were going to take a trip to Ormond Beach, and we were even going to stay a few nights! I love the beach, and it was going to be so very nice to spend time with my parents and brother, and our family/friends the Mills, the Scotts, and the Walkers. It was going to be such a nice break from the regular routine of life! No more homework, no more studying, no more school...well at least until another month!

 Final relaxation had begun with the people I love!