BYU Grad!

April was a month full of chaos, stress, and so many family events, in particular, my graduation from Brigham Young University. But it was so great to be with family and celebrate this life milestone with them! As for most Seniors, graduation couldn’t come soon enough! My mom flew into town a week early and we had fun going shopping, eating, and getting spoiled by her as usual! Amid all the fun I had to find the time to study and take my finals which was tough when I just wanted to play with the family. Finally, I came home from my last and toughest final, happy to have done well enough to Ace the class. To my surprise, Travis had decorated the living room with Cougar Blue balloons, a bouquet of roses, and a graduation present! I opened it and couldn’t believe my eyes, it was an Apple Watch!!!!! Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! Never in my dreams did I think I’d own such a savvy piece of technology! Little did I know, Travis had opened up a secret savings account where he was staching away some extra money to buy it for me without knowing! I was shocked at how long he’d been keeping this a secret (since January!) because Trav is so horribly terrible at keeping any surprises from me, haha ;)

Finally the day came to walk at Commencement, the opening ceremony of graduation, where the BYU graduates parade from the Abraham Smooth Administration building to the Marriott Center, where the ceremonies take place. Somehow I ended up first in line leading the parade which was so fun! I remember the distinct overwhelming feeling that came over me as all the graduates walked into the building to the Pomp and Circumstance March and the entire audience stood up clapping and cheering! I nearly cried and was so incredibly full of gratitude, not only for my accomplishments and the blessing that I had to receive an education and strengthen my testimony at BYU, but also for all those who made it possible like my mom, sister, husband, professors, friends and especially my Heavenly Father.

It was a memorable ceremony with great speakers and formalities declaring all students eligible for gradation. In the end we all got to go ring the victory bell as a tribute for our graduation; A BYU tradition which has gone on for decades not only during graduation, but any other victory the university has had such as winning games and other celebrations!

Afterwards, we went to Texas Roadhouse with the family to celebrate, of course, they made me ride the saddle haha! Then it was home to rest up for Convocation the next morning.

Convocation was a much longer ordeal since BYU’s Life Science Department is the largest in the university. It felt like it’d never end, but finally the moment came, the moment where I officially walked across the stage and shook the Dean’s hand and was passed my “diploma”! (It really was the cover cause the real deal is sent to you in the mail.)

After a photo sesh on campus, we ended the day by going out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory to celebrate! I couldn’t of asked for a better graduation day celebration surrounded by those I love. During these past 2 days of graduation my mind was flooded with all the incredible memories and experiences I’ve had at BYU… I remember my first time on campus for EFY and the incredible spirit and prompting I felt (after not even considering to apply to BYU) that THIS is where I needed to be and receive my education. I remember the nerves I felt after receiving an e-mail from BYU that more applicants than ever had applied that semester and that many more than usual would be denied. That week I went to the temple and prayed about my future and whether or not I would get into BYU, the exact date was February 13, 2010. And as I sat in the lobby of the temple I received this answer in D&C 59:22-24 “22 Behold, this is according to the law and the prophets; wherefore, trouble me no more concerning this matter. 23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. 24 I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.” A great feeling of peace and assurance came over me that it would all work out, and four days later on February 17, I received my acceptance letter to BYU! Ever since I stepped foot on that campus for my first day of class one early summer morning, I made and was surrounded by incredible friendships and people, I was challenged by professors who were passionate and masters in their field, and my testimony was strengthened by weekly campus devotionals, religion classes, and classroom prayer. Gaining an education at BYU is a unique experience like no other, and I’d do it all over again if I could! Go Cougs!!!

(Photo cred to Passafras Photos)