May 15, 2020 was supposed to be one of the best days of my life.
Four months ago, I was planning for what would've been my college graduation. What would've been my celebratory dinner at La Hacienda. What would've been the event I've looked forward to for 1,827 days.
Today, I should be styling my hair to fit under my XL graduation cap (my head is huge, it's fine). I should be begging Evan to take 378 pictures of me- snapping until I finally got the perfect shot for Instagram. I should be shaking the Chancellor's hand, overlooking that mine are soaked in sweat.
Instead, I'm sitting at work. In New Castle, Indiana. Treating May 15th like any other day.
Here's a few things I never thought would happen:
I never thought it would take me five years to get my Bachelor's degree. #superseniorgang
I never, ever, thought I'd be graduating without two of my biggest supporters here to cheer me on.
I never thought I'd land such an amazing career, in my HOMETOWN.
I never thought graduation would be taken away from me because of a global pandemic.
But here we are. And I'm ... unsure how to feel.
I hustled my tail off to get to where I am today. Were there set backs? Yes. Did I, at times, feel like quitting? Yes. Am I going to eventually get over my graduation being cancelled? YES.
There will come a day when suddenly I'll forget I missed out on graduation. Life will get hectic, work will be crazy, and I will be completely fine. However, there is a sense of closure I was looking forward to receiving by walking across that stage.
As I try to find peace with how my college career has ended, I can't help but feel strangely overjoyed. I'm overjoyed with the support I've received during my five year college experience. I'm overjoyed with the opportunities I've been given. I'm overjoyed that Morgan Weaver, BS in Communication Studies is officially a thing.
While it might not be the graduation day I hoped for- it's a graduation day I'm so thankful is finally here.
-morg
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