College Graduation!

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