Cole Graduates!

Cole graduated from Middle Tennessee State University today. 

Cole and Emily.

Sadly, I was ill with the stomach flu (Lisa had it earlier this week - nasty stuff!) and so I stayed home. But the ceremony was streamed live online, so I got to see him graduate anyway!

Carla lives in Franklin, just outside of Nashville, and she joined Craig at the graduation.

Lisa (feeling better, thank goodness!)

Curt (Vanessa had a photo shoot and could not go, either.)

Emily, the proud wife (and glowing, expectant mama!)

This was their view of the stage and graduates.

And this was mine. That's Cole on the right with the gold Summa cum Laude hood. Not a bad view, hmmm?

They had those graduating cum Laude, Magna cum Laude, and Summa cum Laude stand and be recognized.

Lousy picture (the streaming was iffy at times) but that's Cole on the far right. The swatch of gold in the upper corner is his hood.

And I could see him clearly as his name was announced and he strode across the stage to receive his diploma from the University president.

Shortly after Cole was onstage, I lost the streaming thread. Clicking to get it back, the stream started at the very beginning of the graduation. Since I'd seen Cole in the processional, be recognized for the Summa cum Laude, and walk across the stage to receive his diploma, I decided to not fight with the computer and just turn it off.

But then I got this text from Cole.

"Keep watching mom"?? What was Cole going to do? Frantically I clicked again on the streaming link, and luckily it came up at the live ceremony this time, not the beginning. The recessional was underway, and in just a few short moments, Cole strode into view.

Oh, my gosh! I started laughing and crying at the same time.

Cole got out of line and began making our "I love you" sign! He sort of bobbed and pranced (sure wish I'd made a video instead of just taking pictures!) making our sign, and then he mouthed, "I love you, Mom!"

I could not believe he was doing that!

But it sure made my day and the sting of not being there in person slipped away. Had I been there, I never would have been able to see Cole flash our sign and do his little dance - I would've been too far away. Thank you, Cole!! (I love you, too!)

Craig took a family picture after the ceremony.

Emily is so beautiful, pregnant or not.

Proud Pops and Cole.

Cole's good friend, Christian McCurdy. (He's an amazing singer.)

Afterward, they all went out to dinner.

That's one happy Cole!