A Moment to Say Thanks

Today I awaken to a silent house. For the first time in days, I am alone. Brian is off at work, family and friends are back to their normal routine, and I am left here, in my quiet house, with my thoughts.

Too easily could I get swept away by all the terrible things that have happened in the last twenty-four hours. My heart is broken for those families and teachers, first-responders and hospital staff. I have not had a moment to shed tears for them yet. Up until now there has been enough to keep my mind occupied. 

But instead I choose to cling stubbornly, selfishly, to the happy moments of the past several days. We've had so much to celebrate, so many things to be grateful for, so many reasons to smile. 

Brian's pride as he welcomed friends and family---a veritable entourage---to his graduation ceremony on Wednesday...

My own glee at watching my husband reach for his dreams, and succeed.

Being surrounded by friends and family---some related by blood, most related by love---on our important occasion.

Laughter, fun, friendships that feel more like family...

To those who carved time out of their busy lives to celebrate with us this week; for the phone calls and text messages and cards and Facebook messages; for those who braved the rain and the cold to attend the ceremony; to those we love the most, we send you a heartfelt thanks. You made an important day into a party. And we were humbled and overwhelmed by the love we felt. 

And from me to each and every one of you, a hearty thanks for making my husband feel like a total rock star, because even though I remind him of that status every day, I don't think he always hears me.

So today I will reminisce. I will relive those moments of jubilation and joviality. I will wrap myself up in those feelings. I will remind myself of all we have to be grateful for. I will hug my family tighter, tell my friends that I love them, and focus my attention on living this life to the fullest. And I will smile today, even though my heart weeps for others who know not my joy. That is the greatest gift I can give to myself and to the world today. And I have you, our nearest and dearest, to thank for it.

The Big Day Is Here!

For the past two and a half years, I have watched my husband power through nursing school. I've watched him sweat over test grades, study until his eyes were crossing, and celebrate when another class came to an end. 

I've tried to help him maintain some semblance of a normal life, and a normal marriage, when the majority of his time and energy was used up just trying to get through. 

I texted him (constantly) and sent him emails and wrote sappy blogs about him while he was away for fourteen to sixteen hour stretches at a time, pairing a half day of classes with a full day of work. 

I held his hand as he wept for a patient, high-fived him the first time he started an IV by himself, and cringed through all of his "poop" stories.

I have witnessed his growth as a student and a nurse, his excitement over his new career path, and all the hard work that went into it each and every single day. 

I watched him sacrifice sleep, food, fun, and practically every ounce of his social life, just so he could make our lives better with that Oh-So-Coveted degree.

And today, after the books have been put away, the caps put back on all the highlighters, the flash cards stowed and the tests all passed----today, we celebrate that hard work and dedication.

Because today, my husband graduates from the nursing program.

He really IS Superman, y'all.

Congratulations, Brian! I couldn't be more proud of you if I tried. Enjoy every single minute of the festivities today. Soak them up. Because you deserve it all, and a million times more. I love you to the moon and back. XOXO, Abby