About
a week ago my mom asked me if I ever thought this day would come, and I
jokingly said no and that I was glad that it was finally over. School isn't one
of those things I enjoy, it drains me and frustrates me, and I am sure many of
y’all feel the same way. However, my mom’s question got me to thinking about
graduation and the path I took to get there. So the true answer is yes, I did
think this day would come, but no I didn’t think it would take me an additional
year to finish and I did not think I would graduate as a married woman!
When
I first started college, all I cared about was the “college experience” and
joining a sorority. I must admit that I slacked off a bit in the beginning
which partially led to my extra year in college. {The funny part of the story
is that I actually earned my best grades once I was married.} Anyways, I joined
a sorority in the fall of my freshman year like most girls entering college
would do and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t really feel like me. I like to be
friends with everyone regardless of your issues or history with someone else
that I was not a part of, and there were girls who didn’t like that and
proceeded to try to make
my life miserable. I could see then that
being in a sorority was not exactly my cup of tea.
Also,
during the fall of my freshman year, I met KJ on a blind date through a mutual
friend. It was a Wednesday and we went golfing then to dinner. The day before
the date, my friend showed me a picture of his friend and he gave him my
number. KJ and I talked on the phone and texted on that Tuesday. However, when
Wednesday morning rolled around I had no texts or calls from KJ, and being
raised as a Southern Lady I did not dare text him first! {Come to find out he
was doing this to make me nervous….}
Class with our mutual friend was not until 3 pm that day and it could not come
fast enough. I told him that KJ hadn't made any contact with me that day and so
he set up the date for us to meet after class. I can still remember that day
like it was yesterday. From the moment KJ got out of his car I was smitten, and
I knew right then and there that I was going to marry him some day!
{Florida/Georgia game in 2009}
Fast
forward a year and a half…. KJ and I took a trip to Charleston, SC during my
summer break. It made my little southern soul so happy to be among the history
and charm
of Charleston! And of course, KJ had to add to my excitement of being in
Charleston, by popping the big question! There was a lady at the table behind
us who was bursting with excitement as KJ asked, I couldn't help but giggle
when I saw her face and arms flailing with joy.
{The place we got engaged, however we had no photos from the night!}
51
weeks later we got married on KJ’s family’s Ranch! It was one of the happiest
days of my life {along with 100 other emotions that I have never felt before
nor do I think I could feel again}. I took summer classes prior and finished
just about a month before the wedding. My mother was not happy that I just had
to take classes, but looking
back I am glad I did. My parent biggest concerns
of getting married before I graduated are that either I would do worse or not
finish. I was determined to prove them
wrong and was very pleased the day my mom told me that she was proud of me for
being a wife and balancing it very well with being a student.
So,
here I am a year and 10 months later and I am graduating! My mom jokes that my
diploma will have my married name and not my maiden after all the hard work and
time that they put into to my college education. At 18 years old when I started college, I
never would have imagined
that I would be here in this place today, but I am so excited that the Lord doesn't let us take our own way, but molds our hearts and our feet to follow
his path. It might not have been an easy road, but it was well worth the joy
that is whelming inside of me! I could not and would not want to imagine where
I would be if I had followed my path and my plan!
The left is my last day of college, and the right is my very first day! I am so glad that it is finished! Stayed tuned, for more photos from graduation, if you haven't seen enough already on Instagram!!
Have a great day, y'all!!
Allison
