Seems like everything is happening at once. Last week Danny, Lindsey, and I went up to Richmond for Melissa’s Graduation Banquet and Towel ceremony. It was really awesome! After we ate each student was called forward and presented with a small white towel monogrammed with the school’s emblem and the student’s name.
They read comments from other students and the faculty about each student and their calling. Melissa was known as very independent (yeah, we know) and as a police chaplain, would be serving God in some pretty unpleasant situations. We are so proud of her!
On Saturday the rest of the extended family came up for the actual graduation, which was held in the beautiful First Baptist Church of Richmond. Nothing like the Virginia Tech graduation we attended in 2004, this served about 35 students who came up one at a time to receive their diplomas. My photos are blurry but I tried, even sneaking one of the faculty and front of the church during a prayer.
Following photographs and hugs we went back to the school, meeting in Melissa’s dorm room for a small celebration party with Rob’s family and a few friends. Rob’s mom, Rhonda, had provided everything for the event and we ate and watched the “kids” open their graduation cards and gifts. Of our family all but Danny and I left; the gals returned the next day for the wedding shower party.
Melissa and Rob opened gifts received from the Richmond area friends, co-workers, and faulty as well as Rob’s family who had come from Florida.
Afterwards, our big weekend ended with the long trip back home, where I appreciated greatly my own snug bed again!
It all went smoothly and was a joyous occasion and wonderful memory to cherish! Melissa is now a graduate with a Masters of Divinity degree and she looks forward to the next big event coming in July – her wedding!
Not to get lost in the shuffle: June 4 is her 27th birthday! We’ll wait for her to arrive on Friday and celebrate at HAPPY HOUR! Can’t wait!
