My Very Own College Graduate!

Four years ago when Ryan told me he wanted to go back to school, I hate to admit it, but it almost ended our marriage.  I didn't know how we would manage.  I'm not the easiest-going, most chill girl I know.  I don't like being alone, and the thought of spending endless nights at home alone while Ryan was at school or doing homework seemed so daunting.  How would I survive?

I remember Ryan telling me, "Sarah, the next four years are going to pass by regardless of what I do.  Either I will be just where I am right now in life, or I could get a degree.  Either way time passes."  I thought that was such a stupid thing to say at the time.  But now I've finally realized just how profound he really was.  It seems crazy that so much time has passed.  It was really tough while we were in it, but it doesn't seem like that long ago that he started. 

Anyway... all that aside.  I am so super stinkin' proud of my Ryan.  That was a lot of hard work, endless late nights, countless illnesses from lack of sleep and too much stress.  I wanted to do something really big for him and show him just how proud I was.  Certain circumstances have made it difficult to do anything too extravagant, but here's what the girls and I came up with.  When Ryan walked through the door (of our amazingly fabulous apartment) this is what he saw.

Ryan was really cute.  I think we made his day.  He said thank about a dozen times which is so not Ryan.  He woke up the girls and let them come join in his mini-celebration.  He thanked them all for their awesome job decorating the apartment.

I had taken the girls to Walmart and let them pick out whatever they wanted to give to their dad for his graduation present.  That was really fun.  I had to hold my tongue many times, but I wanted the gifts to be just from them.  Here's the result: