My darling daughter is finally graduating!!

15 years ago

It seems like forever, and a lot of money, but Alex is finally graduating on December 19th with a Russian studies/Languages and cultures of Asia double degree. She got a job teaching English in Ukraine and will leave on January 6th. She's not making a lot of money but DH and I look at it as an extension of her education that we don't have to pay for. She was never able to study abroad due to being in the marching band and scheduling conflicts, so this is her chance.

One problem--she just started dating a fellow band member and really likes him. I told her if it's meant to be it will be. I know that is a cliche, but so true. I will really miss her and worry about her, but am happy she is going to see the world!

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Comments (12)

gardendoll
15 years ago
Congratulations! I can feel your excitement all the way here. Yes this will be a lifetime experience. I'm wishing her success in so many ways.

Bravo!

Peggy
dotmom
15 years ago
Congratulations to all of you. how proud you must be. only one of my kids went to collage and he didn't go until he was in his late 30's, after going through a divorce and needed to re-invent himself, and only one gr-kid went to collage, and he graduated and is now going to another one for a higher degree.
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My son graduated last year - I had about 125 people at his graduation party. The suggestions you got above are good. Here are some of mine: We had a rootbeer keg - it was a big hit. Ordered it from the liquor store, very popular with young and old alike. Our entire keg went in 3 hours. It was set up outside because it gets sticky. We set up a volleyball net in the back yard. The boy vs girl volleyball competition was intense as most of the kids were athletes. I'd do the extra bars and salads as suggested, borrow coolers if you need to keep them cool. The only thing that struck me in your email is to make sure that you really can get the red, white and blue decorations you want, lots of other parents might have the same idea and you may have slim pickings if you wait too long. If you are in a big city it may not be a problem but if you are in a town with only 1 or 2 high schools, you might have a problem. The nice stuff will go fast. Finally, get help to keep the food trays filled, coffee made, trash cans emptied, toilet paper and clean towels in the bathrooms, etc. It's a lot of work and you want to at least have time to say hello to your guests. Assign someone to take pictures of your daughter and guests, especially those important ones like grandparents, aunts, uncles, best friends, etc.. Good Luck, it sounds like you are already well on your way. Maryp
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I had a somewhat similar situation years ago. My daughter ended up marrying the guy and they have 3 kids now. The situation isn't any better today than it was 8 years ago. My daughter did finish college, has a great job and is a wonderful mom. Like your daughter she was very careful with money early on, very responsible, but then whe this idiot came along she started doing things his way. He doesn't work at least half the time, doesn't help with the kids, she does EVERYTHING. They have no $ because he has destroyed their credit, depleted their bank accounts, etc. A part of me looks back and thinks should I have said more to her when this relationship started? Like you, I didn't want to go ballistic even though I knew the guy was a jerk, so I tried to wait it out and let her figure it out. She's a very smart girl so I figured it would work out in the end, but it didn't. I know she's miserable right now but I think she doesn't want to hear "I told you so" which I would never actually say or imply, but basically she doesn't want to look like a failure so she just keeps up the pretense. He also cheats on her. Like your daughter, she has lied about things too. She had a very good life growing up, but I've heard where she's said things about her childhood that are just plain lies. I think they do that to justify what they're doing now. Your daughter has to convince herself that she has a better life now, which is of course untrue but she has to believe that these people she's around are better than what she had otherwise she would be fighting a lot of guilt. I think you need to accept her choices for now, do your best to convince her to take birth control because that's not a mistake you can easily fix later and if drugs are in the picture, yeah you definitely want to prevent a pregnancy. Do not pay any of her bills. She can't have it both ways. You can't make choices, say you're old enough to do what you want and then expect mommy and daddy to support you. When the time comes to reach out to you and it will, she will be able to do that, phone or not. I'm sorry for all your pain, I know just how you feel.
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alisande
15 years ago
Good for her!! You have a right to be proud.
kacram
15 years ago
Yea! That is exciting! Congratulations to all of you!
linda_in_iowa
15 years ago
She will always look back on her time in the Ukraine. You must be so proud of that smart cookie.
gemini40
15 years ago
WOW!!! Congratulations to daughter and to you..What a remarkable young lady and her career opportunities will be endless... A very Happy Thanksgiving , this is what it's all about.
sjerin
15 years ago
Many congratulations! The best of luck you your dd.
patti43
15 years ago
You have every right to be proud of her. I hope she has a wonderful experience. It sure is something she'll never forget. (((for sleeper who will miss her so much))).
carol_in_california
15 years ago
I am so happy for her...and for you, too.
Great accomplishment.
I am glad you have raised her to be an independent person and are happy to see her travel.
lydia1959
15 years ago
Congratulations! The overseas job will be a great opportunity for her. My own DD is in her 4th year of college (with 1 year left it looks like) and she has been wanting to study abroad for awhile now. Not sure if she'll get to or not, but I'm sure she'd jump at the opportunity if she were offered a job overseas after graduation.
chisue
15 years ago
That's wondeerful! You deserve to be proud.

Hmmm...Ukraine in winter...got her Cuddle Duds underwear packed?
sleeperblues
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, everybody. I am really proud of her, she definitely is a hard worker. She skipped a year of high school, so is pretty young for a 5th year senior as she doesn't even turn 22 til the end of February. She has always worked (sometimes three jobs) and been in the band which is a job in itself. But she has had a lot of fun, too, and I know she will miss Madison and all of her friends. But it's time to join the real world and become a tax payin' citizen, lol.

I booked a block of rooms at the Sheraton for that weekend for family and friends. I figured the young cousins could play in the swimming pool while us oldsters had a cocktail or two and visited. Maybe an early dinner at a new organic restaurant that doesn't take reservations, some last minute Christmas shopping, and Sunday brunch before the ceremony.

Now just one more to get through college. He still hasn't found that easy major that will pay him a million dollars when he graduates. Two very different kids, lol.

My darling daughter is finally graduating!!

Comments (12)

gardendoll

dotmom

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sleeperblues
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My darling daughter is finally graduating!!

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sleeperblues
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