Graduation Festivities

I wanted to share some photos from our graduation week. We had some things to attend at the school during the day, including graduation practice and a senior breakfast. Our class party was held one evening at a nearby hotel/casino. The following evening, we had an awards banquet. It was bittersweet getting to spend these days with our medical school classmates. It was strange thinking that some of the people I might not ever see again, after seeing them daily our first two years of school, then at least sporadically during the past couple years. It was exciting hearing about everyone's plans for residency, including which specialties classmates had settled on and to which cities people were scattering.

With our dear friend, Alex, at the class party.

With some of my best girlfriends at the Awards Banquet.

With Alex and Blake

Our graduation was on Friday evening that week. Aaron's parents and sister and my grandparents came to town to attend, which was really special. Early in the day of our graduation, we had a Christian physician oath ceremony with our Christian Medical Association group from medical school. It was great to have that reminder and charge of why we do what we do, and how to hold onto that sense of purpose in our call by God to medicine as we moved forward. It really put the day in perspective. The CMA oath ceremony also gathered together some of our best friends from medical school, and it was special to be together once more, as we had so often gathered in fellowship, and so often supported one another in prayer through the years.

Aaron and me during the oath ceremony.

The whole CMA group.

That evening was our graduation. I loved the pomp and circumstance of the event - my velvet beret and striped robes, my green and orange hood. I know that, in a way, it's all kind of silly, and the regalia was overpriced, but I loved getting to be a part of such a proud, beautiful tradition. I loved processing in, chins held high. I loved seeing all the faculty in regalia. Our class graduated in alphabetical order by last name. Usually, people came one by one, but Aaron and I stood together at the back of the stage so Aaron could see me while I was hooded. Then, I walked offstage, and, standing in the wings, was able to watch Aaron get hooded. I was so proud of him. It was special getting to share that moment together.  I will always remember what it felt like to be on that stage getting hooded, and seeing my beloved hooded just a few moments later.

Together at the back of the stage.

With our friends Sarah and Elliot! Sarah used to be in our class, but got her MBA between 2nd and 3rd year, so now she and Elliot will graduate from med school this coming spring. We missed them during the class activities all week! Sarah will always be class of 2013 in our hearts :-)

With our friend Avis! Such a prayer warrior for our family! It was special that she came to town for graduation!

With my grandparents! They were so proud of the new doctors in the family! So glad to share this day with them!

With my parents! They earned their honorary DOs for all their work in helping us through school!

With Aaron's family (minus Stephen who was still finishing up in Chicago).

With Meghan and Erik.

My family (minus Elizabeth and Sarah, who were praying for us on their pilgrimage to Poland!)

So proud and happy to be done! So grateful to have been on this journey together!

The following day, my parents held a party for us at their house, and we got to celebrate with family and friends. It was a lovely, special time. We have such a wonderful community. We are so loved.

I have goofy friends! ;-)