<p>We just got back a couple of hours ago from our daughters graduation weekend. Between a parents gratitude session (Christian College), Baccalaurete, and the actual graduation I was feeling very emotional but did NOT cry during the graduation. The most touching event was the parents gratitude session, held while the students were doing a mandatory rehearsal. Parent after parent stood up and talked about how their child had matured spiritually, morally and academically and how blessed they were with the offerings of the college. Most of the students do an abroad at my daughters school and it has a fairly high percentage of international students so many parents also spoke of how much more world aware their students had become. Some parents talked about how their child had been a so-so student in high school but just blossomed in college. My husband had to speak for us because my throat and eyes were getting all funny just thinking about all the wonderful things to say.</p>
<p>They had a professional photographer for the graduation and my daughter told me that each grad will get two free pictures. Our daughter graduated with highest honors and had the largest smile I've ever seen (I think we did too!) as she crossed the stage. The speaker was a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor and she was touching and funny - a great combination.</p>
<p>After graduation there was cookies and beverages on the chapel lawn with lots of opportunities for pictures.</p>
<p>My husband graduated from West Virginia University and we talked about how much more moving and meaningful our daughters ceremony was. Ah, well, three more years until the next one!</p>