I Graduated!

So, this weekend was super exciting! I graduated college! Yesterday I apologized for my absence from the blogosphere because of it, but the days were packed and I didn't want to miss a moment. Starting on Friday everything was truly incredible and it is a time of my life I will never forget. I'm really happy to share this with you all! The camera was used like crazy so be prepared for lots of photos! :)

Friday:

I started the day by going to get special graduation nails done with my mom. The design I had my eye on could not be done with shellac so, I ended up going back to acrylics. After I was finished there I went over to Billy's grandparents to spend time with them as well as his brother who was in town for the weekend. Later on in the night I headed to pick up my friends Heather and Scott who were staying with me, or so I thought, since they were flying out of my local airport the next morning. When we got into town, my mom surprised us, well me, with a room at the hotel right by the airport for the three of us to have a fun night and early graduation celebration. They were already in on it!

White, black, and silver to match my dress for Sunday.

I was greeted with a lovely present walking into my friends house to pick them up. 

The cute way my mom revealed the surprise & decorated our room.

Saturday:

My mom and I were up bright and early Saturday morning to get on the road down to Ann Arbor for the commencement ceremony being held in the Big House. The past four years I have attended a satellite campus of U of M, but the large graduation incorporates graduates from all three campuses. We met Billy down there and come 8 am he and I were off to gather with all the other students. It was a little chilly and slightly rainy yet, still an incredible experience! I was also blessed to have a family friend give up her day to be there and to run into a dance teammate of mine from this past year.

Outside the gates of the Big House.

Processing into the stadium & finding our seats (50 yard line, row 17!).

Looking out among the graduates.

Pictures after the ceremony before heading home.

Sunday:

The big day! The day I went from being an undergraduate to an alumni. I was so thankful to have my mom, dad, brother and godparents in the audience. Since I was graduating with Billy, it was also great to have his grandparents, brother, mom, and dad there too. Sunday was surreal. I don't even think it has completely sunk in. I do know that it did hit me sitting there during the ceremony, though, that I was going to miss college and everything/one associated more than I ever thought I could. 

Walking into the arena and heading down to sign-in.

Friends and faculty.

Right after we finished processing out.

A little blurry, but the first time I saw my parents as a graduate.

I wouldn't be who I am today without these people. <3

My brother and I are goofy.

My family.

Billy's family.

Our classic and traditional knee pop pose.

After the ceremony, we went over to campus to take some cap & gown photos.

Although I'm graduated, the nerd in me will forever be!

"Today is only the beginning, not the end."

It's hard to close this chapter of my life, but it is also exciting. 

And I will never forget where I came from. I will always wear my maize and blue with pride.

Questions of the Day:

1) What emotions did you feel on your graduation?

2) How long did it take for the reality to sink in?

3) If not graduated, do you have certain expectations for it?

❤ Nichole ❤

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