I woke up this morning feeling much like I would any other day, except today I didn’t have to go to the office. I had other plans with my family, plans that I wasn’t as excited as I should have been. But as the day progressed, the excitement and happiness filled my heart.

At 9:45 this morning, I took large quick steps across the makeshift stage in the open area between the library and the admissions office. I’ve walked this area many times in the last 3 years and today will be the last time I walk through this space. This open area is known as the Convocation Mall.

Today, with the fanfare of the grade one pipe band, I was presented with my Communication and Publishing Degree from Simon Fraser University, with my proud parents, brother and lover looking on.

I found it really cute and touching that my parents were so excited about today, they had difficulty sleeping last night! I feel so bad that I did not give that much importance to the day. It feels almost as if my aloofness is a sign of disrespect for my parents. Especially because more than just having to deal with the physical distance, my parents worked so hard to pay for my very expensive education and even bought a house here to ensure I wouldn’t have to worry about rent or terrifying landlords. Oh, the sacrifices parents do for their children. If only we never take them for granted!

As per usual in our household, we were running late! My things were scattered all over the place and I barely made it to collect my regalia. Worse of all, I had to jump out of the car while they sought parking and my family isn’t familiar with the campus yet I had forgotten my mobile phone at home, so there was no way for me to communicate with them. We decided we would all play-by-ear.

I picked up my regalia, which was a perfect fit, picked up my mortarboard and certificate, got dressed and then borrowed a phone from a random stranger and called Eli. Thankfully Eli has been on campus with me a couple of times and we’ve been through the Academic Quadrangle a few times so I could tell him where exactly in that crazy concrete building I was at. We fixed my hair and mortarboard, and I sent him back to my folks.

As with all ceremonies, there was a lot of talking. I don’t remember any bit of the speeches but I was kept entertained by my brother and Eli who stood by the sidelines with cameras in hand. Lucky for my dad, he now has two assistants to do the running around for him and he could relax as a proud parent in the stands.

Finally the moment arrived. I got up, pulled my shoulders back and walked as confidently as I could up the stage, passed the post-it with my name on it to the announcer, quickly whispered my name to him and silently prayed he would not mispronounce up my name. I don’t know if he did. It doesn’t matter. I was on the stage for less than a minute. Shook hands with three individuals, one of them being the President and made my way off the stage with my eyes madly scanning the crowd for my parents, brother and Eli.

I really should have sneaked away at that point because this ceremony was far from over! There was more talking and more yawning.

Suddenly, Eli popped up behind me and stuffed a humongous bouquet of spring flowers in my hands, gave me a kiss on my cheek and said, “Congratulations, Honey”. The kids behind me went, “Awwwww.” Eli disappeared as swiftly as he appeared. He was so shy!

There was no hat toss and then it was done. Beating everyone out of my way, I reunited with Eli, my brother and my parents. They were so proud. We took photos, I glared at rude people cutting into our photos and then we went to stuff our faces.

The food at the reception was lacklustre; I heard the business students get a better buffet spread. However, the reception was not uneventful, simply because I am a klutz who was giddy from the attention. I spilt drinks after drinks and had this woman come up to me and sternly asked if I was intending to clean it up. I didn’t let her get to me, but I didn’t let her have her way either.

Then, my camera battery died. Yep, my camera battery died on me before we were done with the once-in-a-lifetime photography opportunity! And of course I did not bring a spare battery. So we have to make do with the lower resolution but still okay photographs from my dad’s video camera.

Celebratory dinner was at Sala Thai on Burrard St because I like the atmosphere and the food, and I wanted my parents to try it. I made everyone dress up. When Eli arrived to pick us up and I saw that he was wearing a t-shirt, I made him drive back home to change… And he did.

At dinner, my brother and I got fussy with the chairs, I ate a lot and talked a lot. When the big bill came, Eli fought with me to pay for it but I told him I’m buying this dinner as a sign of appreciation for my parents. (I have no idea what material gifts to buy them.)

After our post-dinner walk to the waterfront, we returned to the car and the car was gone. “What an expensive dinner,” I said.

What an eventful day! I’m a graduate!