Watching your kids blossom and grow is the most amazing thing a person can ever experience. It seems with each stage, you become more confident in their independence and ability to make decisions. I was able to see BOTH of my girls graduate high school, which may seem like an ordinary event, but it wasn’t. My grandmother, mother, and I all held hands and let out a huge sigh of relief when my oldest graduated. She was the first in our immediate line to get that DIPLOMA- not G.E.D-in the anticipated four years. My grandmother wasn’t there for my youngest daughter’s high school graduation, however our excitement was through the roof. We had two high school graduates (who graduated with honors).

Many would think “the hard work is done” they finished high school and they could now go as they wanted. This wasn’t the case. My husband and I gave our girls choices about what to do after high school. Their ONLY choices were which college they would attend.

My oldest went away to school for a year. After the year, she decided to come home and commute. Her unconventional route consisted of picking up a job full time while attending college full time. Its an understatement to say my husband and I felt ecstatic as she walked to get her diploma and graduated from college.

My youngest took the more conventional route and went away to a small school for four years. Her senior year of college was filled with a lot of headaches and challenges. At one point, I wasn’t sure if she was just going to come home. I agonized for weeks just praying that she would be able to get through her last semester.  As we approached the day of her graduation, I was filled with an enormous ball of emotions. I was angry with so many individuals that tried to put up roadblocks for this monumental day. I was devastated that she didn’t get to fully enjoy every last second of her last few months away at college. But above all, I was overjoyed that my baby did it and was finally graduating.

The whole family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins included) drove two hours (in horrendous traffic) and stayed overnight to experience this joyous day. We watched as the students poured out in their caps and gowns and marched towards their section of seating. In all of the faces, a bright gleaming face emerged from the crowd- my baby. She marched the entire path with her head held high and a permanent smile painted on her face.

It was the hottest day in May and we were all baking in the sun for what seemed to be the longest commencement in history. As we listened to the “words of encouragement” from the various speakers, I was on the edge of my seat thinking “Just call her name and let her grab her diploma so she can come hug her mommy”. We finally go through the mumbo jumbo and the presentation of diplomas started. As her name was called, our entire row jumped up screaming, yelling, & whistling. She did it! The happiness and relief in her face as she reached for her diploma will forever be branded in my brain. It was one of my most glorious moments as a mother.

Thanks to Yes Video I was able to relive the memory after I transferred the lost archives (VHS Tapes) to DVDs. I now can share the moment with all my family and friends who couldn’t be there.