Graduation Post

Flash back to Wednesday, May 9th.
I was back in Durham to sit through a 2 day intense review session for the NCLEX.
Our original teacher was sick and we were sent a brilliant lady with a crazy life history.
Living on a sailboat for 2 years with her husband and cat was just one of her accomplishments.
ATI, you impress me with your employees.
We were given a folder and a new study book.
There were crosswords and games...oh boy!

One of the best things about the two days were that Stesha's parents were in town.

I got to meet them and hang out with her and her family.

They were staying in a hotel that had a hot tub and we took full advantage. 

This is the great thing about Stesha, we both enjoy the little things: food and hot tubs!

We spent multiple nights gossiping in the hot tub with her mother.

Saturday arrived and I anxiously awaited my parents and Lance's arrival to Durham.

Lance's first flight was delayed and he missed his connection.

Luckily, he was able to get on the next outgoing flight from Atlanta to Durham.

He arrived 1 hour after my parents at RDU. This gave me enough time to pick my parents up and drop them off at the hotel before picking him up. All four of us plus our luggage would not have fit in the car at the same time anyways, so it was perfect.

We all went to eat at Brixx for an early dinner.

I took Lance for a tour around Duke's Campus. 

In the Gothic Reading room of the Library 

I showed him the nursing building and then we headed to Dain's place for a couple of beers.

Later that evening, we picked Stesha up at her hotel and headed to meet with Garret at Frankie's Fun Park.

We hit some balls around, rode go-karts, and played some mini-golf where I found out I aint too bad.

We were a bit hungry as it was getting late. Lance had his first experience at The CookOut.

The next morning was my graduation day AND MOTHER'S DAY.

I had breakfast with my parents at the hotel's restaurant.

We had to be over at the school around 11 for some food and then the ceremony began.

I cannot explain how happy I was. I put in a lot of hard work and I'm glad I made it.

I loved having my loved ones here with me from home. I enjoyed having my Texas life and my North Carolina life blend together for even this short moment.

It was perfect.

Apparently I sprinted across the stage. Lance said it was hard to get a pic of me I was moving so fast.

My nursing pin

After the ceremony, we had some time to rest in the hotel.

We had reservations at Ruth's Chris for dinner at 7.

After an amazing dinner, I opened up my gifts.

My parents got me an engraved pen and pencil with an engraved keychain.

Thank you! 

The weekend was short and sweet and everything I wanted it to be.
Thank you Mom, Dad, and Lance for celebrating this great day with me.
AND a happy Mother's Day!