It Was The Best of Times

We didn't break out in song and choreographed dance moves like in High School Musical. And no, there really weren't very many tears like in, say, The OC. And there definitely was not a pregnant valedictory speaker that went into labor mid-speech like in One Tree Hill. And Gossip Girl didn't send us all life-shattering blasts on our phones. Not that we could have received them anyway with the stingy cell phone policy. Television (or at least the ridiculous television I watch) blows high school graduation into a huge, epic ordeal that could easily make the actual event rather anticlimactic. But, I felt that graduation was exactly what it needed to be. It addressed the point while maintaining a good balance of formality with one last dash of Memorial sparkle and sass that we would all feel empty leaving without.

I started my day at Chris and Lindsay's new home. It's actually my friend Ellie's childhood house, which is weird to think about. It's finally fully furnished and looks fab. Job well done, Chris and Lin. Quick tangent..they found out they're having a baby girl!

Here's me with all my little ones that make me feel like I'm not the youngest anymore.

Linds made delicious red velvet cupcakes in honor of the Memorial colors. Little did she know those are my absolute favorite especially with the melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese frosting.

My brother Andy closest in age to me who keeps reminding me how much to cherish these times in school. I'm takin' it to heart, Drew.

Finally empty nesters!

The gorgy table setting dressed with all our food. We don't even bother with restaurants anymore to house all of us.

With my Marmie (my dad's mom)

With the hosts of the big day in their cozy backyard where the littlest McConn will soon be running around

Little Sam (a big Toy Story fan) related me going to college with Andy in Toy Story 3

Me with Samuel Luke's proud mama

The Coloseum was filled to the brim, but after a little searching I was able to spot the McConn clan taking up a good amount of space. We heard two speeches from fellow Valedictorians, Gene Hu and Jillian Seymour, who coincidentally both spun their ideas off of Dickens novels we had read during high school--the idea of Great Expectations and high school being both the best and worst of times.

Getting the diploma! (Secret: it's actually just the cover..diploma comes later)

Singing the Alma Mater as mustangs one last time.

And the ever-so-classic tossing of the caps.

I remember the first day like it was yesterday. I wore my favorite pair of jeans that I still own (though they need some patching up after so much wear and tear), a simple white blouse, silver Steve Madden sandals, and my confused brownish-blonde hair down. They weren't kidding when they said it goes by in the blink of an eye.

I wouldn't trade my Memorial experience for anything; I really believe it's one of the best schools out there. It's the quintessential high school experience, and though I'll miss it, I'm gonna live by what they all say and not be sad it's over, but smile 'cause it happened. 'Cause it did and it was great.