High School Graduate #3

Today was a wonderful celebration of Meg's school years.  With all of the rain predicted over the past two days we were thrilled when the skies cleared in time for her graduation at 3 p.m.  Bethany did a nice job honoring the seniors and incorporating faith in the hour long ceremony.  Meg appreciated the words of one of her favorite teachers, Dale, as he was chosen by the seniors to give the commencement speech.  We were all impressed with Brody's hymn selection and his direction of the choir as well as those in attendance.  The decorations were beautiful and we were pleased to learn that Meg was one of only seven in her class to graduate Summa Cum Laude.  

As soon as the seniors were released the five of us met Meg in the courtyard for pictures.  My parents, Carl, Marina, Dan, Phil and Jeannette all joined us.  Meg looked beautiful in blue and we were all extremely proud of her.  She stayed behind to take pictures with her friends while the rest of us headed back to our house to put the finishing touches on her open house.  With the threat of rain we had set up the tables in the garage.  Thankfully, Doug was able to quickly move them into our backyard while Cam set up corn hole and lasso golf.  Brett worked on the slideshow as I put the last minute touches on the decorations and got the cakes ready.  Cal went with Grandma and Grandpa to help them with the fruit and vegetables trays.  It took some work, but we were all ready when the guests started arriving at 5:30.

                               

                             
                               

We were absolutely impressed with the amount of support that Meg received at her party.  Friends and family showed up early and stayed late.  There was a receiving line that never stopped.  Doug, Meg and I did our best to spend time with all of her guests, showing them pictures, listening to stories of her childhood, and offering food.  The Bethany community was extremely supportive, coming in large groups to wish Meg well.  The Montavons and Eagans were both able to attend, which we truly appreciated as we hadn't seen either family in quite some time.  Several of our friends and family members were the first to arrive and the last to leave.  Although the party was still going strong late in the evening, Meg and Nick did finally excuse themselves to go to Rachel's.  Her open house ended at nine with a seniors bonfire to follow.  No one seemed to mind and we had plenty of company to visit with well into the night.  As Doug and I reflected on the day hours later, we were just so happy that it had all gone so incredibly well.  It had been everything that we had hoped it would be.  Transferring to Bethany was a tough decision for Meg, but today was just one more reminder of why it was the best decision for her.