A shower, a graduation, a party, a job.
- Aubrey
- May 19, 2016
- 7 min read
I think it goes without saying, but 2016 has BY FAR been the busiest year of my life (and we aren't even half-way through!). As if being seniors college and getting engaged weren't enough to keep us busy, we packed on a full list of activities these past few weeks...
The Bridal Shower:
I was fortunate enough to have the most amazing co-workers at Georgia Southern, and they offered to throw a joint bridal shower for me and my fellow PR intern, Katie (who is getting married THIS summer, yay! #WalkerDownTheIsle). Crissie and Christie worked so hard to make the perfect menu (even suited to my picky taste), decorations and games (date night ideas were SO cute!).
My sister and cousin (both in the bridal party) came down to spend that weekend with me as well, so I got the bonus of having a girl's weekend with my family on top of this work shower! We had a blast gossiping all night (and getting heavily spray-tanned) and pampering and primping all the next morning.
We all had so much fun at the shower, even though Mother Nature decided to shower that day as well.
I got the most thoughtful, beautiful gifts and cards. I literally couldn't ask for better people in my life. They made our day so special!
It also happened that my fellow bride-to-be Katie and I shared more than just a bridal shower-- we shared some family history! Our dads grew up together! Her dad noticed my (pretty uncommon) last name on our tagged pictures and made the connection pretty quickly. Small world!
The Graduation:
Cory and I have worked SO hard for the past four years. Georgia Southern is our home (I mean hello, we're even getting married here! We LOVE this place). Graduation was a very emotional time for us both- on completely opposite ends of the spectrum.
Cory was ecstatic. He would literally come up to me each day, "I am seven assignments, one paper, four class periods and 15 days away from GRADUATING!" He couldn't wait!
I, on the other hand, had swollen eyes and a lump in my throat for the final two weeks. Unlike my fiance' who will return in the fall to earn his Master's (SO proud), I have chosen to be finished with school (for now...you just never know). Knowing that with each moment I was closer to never-being-a-student-ever-ever-ever-again-maybe was overwhelming for me. I didn't want to leave my jobs with the school. At all. I didn't want to be a grown up. I didn't ask for this!
Unlike Cory, my comments each day consisted of "I'm seven class periods, five work days, three TA days and 15 days away from leaving forever."
We handled this very differently. Ha!
As commencement approached, although still overcome with nostalgia and bitter-sweetness, I began to share in Cory's enthusiasm. We spent all of Friday afternoon decorating our caps, and I've got to say, we did a pretty sweet job.
Of course, I went the Disney route (after failing to come up with an appropriate "Office" or "Parks and Recreation" quote), and Cory came up with this awesome golf idea!
With our caps still damp with glue, we hurried to the traditional GSU Lantern Walk and met up with some of our classmates. Cory and I were in the front row for the ceremony. I loved getting this little piece of GSU history, and yes, it will be on the bookshelf in our home someday FOR SURE.
Our friend Briana (also in the bridal party, hayyyyy!), met us there to congratulate us. We absolutely LOVE spending time with her. While we waited on my family to arrive in town, Cory and I grabbed a bite to eat with Bri and talked...and talked...and talked (never a dull moment!). We were so excited to celebrate together!
After dinner, my parents and sister arrived in Statesboro, and we were ready to CELEBRATE! We grabbed some milkshakes and crammed into my little tiny apartment bedroom and promptly fell asleep like the wild party animals we are. I didn't care; I was so excited to have my family in town!
I woke up early the next morning, my stomach in knots from nerves and emotions. Cory picked me up to take me to the stadium, and his first comments were, "Do we really have to walk? It's going to take forever! We graduate no matter what..." UGH. This man is NOT a morning person, ha!
We arrived at the stadium, greeted all of our classmates, and grabbed seats together among our thousands of other graduates. And then.... we waited. For hours. We were starving and hot, but I didn't care.
We eagerly scanned the crowds for our families and eventually found them among the masses. Everyone got a wave from Cory and a dab from me.
*Side note: It's crazy how different college graduation is from high school. I was so nervous about dress code and following rules; I almost didn't decorate my cap for fear of getting in trouble! Cory and I (and every other person) literally sat on our phones and did whatever we wanted during the ceremony. Very different!*
The commencement speaker began, and as she quoted Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind," my eyes swelled with tears. I was able to suck it up (so as not to mess up my Mary Kay mascara, of course), long enough to get through our walk.
When it was finally our row's time, we marched to the stage with such excitement. Cory and I even found his brother BJ in the crowd, and we had time to stop and pose for a picture!
They called Cory's name, and I cheered from the side of the stage! Then they called my name... kind of. "Trev-uh-thin....Elizabeth! Cum laude..err... Magna Cum Laude!" Not exactly what I'm typically referred to as, but hey, I've been called worse.
When we got back to our seats, we realized someone had decided to make themselves at home in our row, so Cory and I got stuck sharing one tiny, hot, plastic seat for the rest of the ceremony. We were miserable...but at least we didn't have to share a seat with a stranger!
The ceremony was almost finished, but as we stood to sing the alma mater and saw Freedom fly across that stadium, I lost it. I was officially a graduate of Georgia Southern University. I felt Cory squeeze my hand as we turned our tassels and prepared to leave. It was over, just like that. I was so thrilled to finish out my college career with my fiance' by my side!
The Partay:
When you're in it #ForTheLongHall2017, you don't just celebrate now and then. Oh no. You take all of the celebrations and cram them into one weekend, just like we did. Man it was a BLAST (but we were so tired!).
After graduation, we grabbed a bite to eat, and then Cory and I met up with our respective families and got ready to go to St. Simons for our graduation/engagement party! My cousin Brittainy and Uncle Britt were hosting the party for us, and I absolutely couldn't wait to see what they had in store! Based on the adorable invitations Brittainy made, I knew we were in for a treat.
When we arrived, much of our family and friends were already getting the party started. We greeted everyone and immediately turned into social butterflies. We'd never felt so popular! We figured we should eat that up since we probably won't be that cool again until the wedding, haha!
I was instantly awestruck by the detail that was put into this party! There was a hand-made photo backdrop and props, a banner with pictures of me and Cory, interactive games and a BEAUTIFUL cake! There was a buffet with (delicious) BBQ, an open bar, a DJ, and the most thoughtful picture slideshow (that my sister and dad made!). Everything was so personal and amazing. Cory and I were both thrilled!
We spent the evening socializing- Cory with the adults, me mostly with the kids, ha! I couldn't take two steps without one of the kiddos being at my heals, but I loved it! We danced...and danced...and danced some more. I don't think my calves have gotten that much of a workout in a LONG time.
It was so nice to see the turnout for our party. Family drove from TN and FL, friends drove from hours away. We really did feel so loved, and we were so happy to share our time with such great people!
Present Day:
Cory and I basically never stop going. We love to stay busy, sometimes to our detriment. We spent a lovely Mother's Day with our moms and grandmas and came back to my hometown for just three days before heading back to Statesboro to work.
Cory went back to Party Harbor and immediately started working long hours. He's such a hard worker. He's out before the sun and oftentimes doesn't get off until the sun has set. He just loves to work and to be able to provide. I love that about him! He's so motivated and determined.
On Thursday I began my very first day as a full-time employee of Chick-fil-A of Statesboro! I was hired as the Assistant Director of Marketing, and I couldn't wait to start. So far it's been a whirlwind (and yes, I've already needed the first-aid kit once, and it's only Day Five), but I'm having a blast. This job is right up my alley, and Chick-fil-A has always been one of my top two favorite brands!
I think, though, that Cory and I are about ready for a weekend to RELAX. We've stayed so busy the past few weeks, and we're just ready to chill. Hopefully we'll get some time in the near future! But for now, we're enjoying the blessing of having jobs and the ability to work!
Overall, life has been crazy and hectic but SO AMAZING lately. <3
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