Graduation

Back in May I had the privilege of taking part in the 257th commencement ceremonies at the University of Pennsylvania. 257th. Crazy to think about. The first class graduated in 1757. Ben Franklin attended. This year, the university welcomed the Vice President as the commencement speaker. It was an entertaining privilege to say the least.

Graduation came at a funny time for me. I finished my bachelor's of science in nursing back in December, and I won't be finished with my master's until August. So it didn't feel like the celebration of completing either. Even still, it was a nice time for me to reflect on how richly God has blessed Ben and me with academic opportunities. The journey to this point has felt very, very long. And yet I feel like I am just waking up to the dawn of the next stage.

When I was still applying for NP programs and Ben was just in his second year of seminary, my mom sent us a package of Montana jams that we love. She addressed the package to Pastor Ben and Kristin NP. She's supported our dreams before they fell within reach and it was especially meaningful to sit beside her as I listened to the Vice President's speech.

After the morning ceremonies, the School of Nursing hosted a reception for graduates and families. I felt really proud to introduce Ben and my mom to some of my professors and the director of my program. We took some pictures, gave my mom a brief tour of the building, and then headed over to the Kimmel Center for the nursing graduation. I got to walk across the stage twice, once for the BSN, once for the MSN. Laura Bush gave the speech, another privilege (although not as entertaining as Joe).

Mom treated us to a celebratory dinner at Parc, the restaurant where, more than two years ago, over a bread basket and hot chocolate in the middle of a rainstorm, Ben and I decided to move to Philly to pursue this dream.

We still have a year left of school. If everything goes well in the next year, Ben will graduate in May from Westminster Theological Seminary with a Master's of Divinity. I could not be more proud and I look forward to that graduation more than I did to mine that just passed. Going to school together has meant that each individual success is a shared victory. Even when I turn in my last papers in 2 weeks there's a part of me that won't feel I'm finished until Ben is finished. It hasn't been easy going to school together. But it's been a remarkable privilege for which we're grateful.