After four long years, endless late nights, countless missed family activities, and at times what seemed like single parenthood; dental school is at last over. It is filled with a wide range of emotions that we end this journey and embark on a new and somewhat unknown path. For that last four years we have been told what to do and how to do it. We have had a very set and specific schedule. All though stressful it was all very simple. We knew had much money we had, (or didn't have), how long it needed to last, when we would have a break or a vacation, and when things get more stressful (finals, boards, etc.) Worries such as the economy and job loss had little effect on our thoughts. Now "real" life is staring us straight in the face. We leave the so called easiness of school and now need to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives. Our lives will forever be referred to as before Dental School and after.
We were lucky enough to have a lot of our family travel down to Las Vegas to be with us. It is always amazing to feel the love and support that our little family receives from those who love us. We had a great lunch together before heading over to UNLV for the graduation ceremony. Matt has never been into the pomp and circumstance that comes with ceremonies, he would rather just pick up his diploma and be done with it. I explained that this is more than his graduation, it is a family graduation. He may not want to participate in the ceremony, but the rest of us wanted to celebrate his accomplishment.
I could not help but become emotional during the ceremony. Sitting there thinking about what has happened over the past few years it was surreal to realize that it was really all over. I was overwhelmed with pride and a sense of accomplishment for Matt. There have been many times when he has sacrificed his time, vacations, and his attendance at many of the kids' activities. It finally hit me that our "plan C" had worked out and we made it through.
Way to go Matt! We are all very proud of you!
