Nursing School Graduation

I did it!!!

I graduated from nursing school! It feels so good to have made it through. When I started the accelerated program, I knew it would be 15 months of grueling hard work, but I didn't know how hard it would be. I am so grateful for all who have supported me through the rough patches. I am SO excited to get to practice as a Registered Nurse. To do that, I still have to pass my board exam so I will spend the next few weeks studying like crazy so I can pass and get my license. But I wanted to take a little time on here to share some of our celebrations. My mom and dad flew out from Utah to attend my graduation. I am SO happy that they were able to come, and loved spending time with them.

On Wednesday, I received a nursing pin at a traditional pinning ceremony. Classmates and their families mingled afterwards to celebrate. We took a tour of the nursing building as well so my parents could see all the labs and equipment we used during classes.

We went out to dinner at a charming restaurant in Historic Roswell. The weather was gorgeous so we ate outside and enjoyed live music.

Before the actual graduation on Thursday, my parents and I walked through Riverside Park along the Chattahoochee River. There were a bunch of turtles enjoying the sun too.

Graduation was at the KSU Convocation Center, where my college as well as the college of Education were awarded their respective degrees. It was a great ceremony, and awesome to experience it with my classmates.

Where's Meagan??? Matt's photo was perfectly timed.

I'm so grateful that my parents could be there. I had a great time introducing them to friends, showing them the campus, and sharing in the excitement of graduation.

We went to dinner at a yummy Mexican Restaurant to celebrate. After that we stopped by the temple and walked around the beautiful grounds.

As we were about to back to our apartment, Matt said he had a gift for me. It was "The Muppets" piano music book! Then he said he had something at home, and we needed to wait outside for a few minutes before going in the house while he went in first. When we were given the OK, my mom and I walked to the front door and saw my old keyboard sitting outside the door on its stand. I was very confused....until I heard piano notes being played from inside the apartment!

We opened the door, and there my dad stood with a video camera and Matt was sitting at a brand new digital piano!!! He then played and sang "Life's a Happy Song"from the Muppets. He'd been practicing during his work lunches so that he could surprise me. It was a great graduation/birthday surprise! I can play all the notes of my pieces now without having to move down or up octaves all the time :)

Then we had some delicious cake and ice cream to finish off the celebrations.

Next post: Fun around ATL with mom and dad