Surprise!

Sara and I had the best Minnesota weekend. Just a couple of weeks ago, I bought last-minute tickets so we could be on hand to help Melissa celebrate her Master's graduation from Hamline. I had told her how sorry I was that we weren't going to be able to make it, so you can imagine how shocked she was to see us pull up in front of her house in my parents' car.  We hadn't seen each other since Thanksgiving, so we were waaay overdue. 

 Unfortunately, the weather wasn't super cooperative, so Melissa's outdoor graduation ceremony was moved inside.  She didn't have enough tickets for the indoor event for all of us to attend, so she opted out of the ceremony so we could spend the afternoon together.  We enjoyed hanging out at Melissa and Adam's new house; the sun eventually came out, so we took a walk to the nearby park, and then enjoyed beverages on the patio. 

Of course we couldn't let the day pass without some type of ceremony, so we made Melissa get into her grad garb, and we sang Pomp & Circumstance while she walked down the sidewalk.

I put Melissa's hood over her head, and Adam presented her with a diploma crafted from what was once a cheap window covering.  She pretended to be embarrassed by her big dorky family, but I know deep down she loved every minute.

Sara couldn't get enough of her Auntie this weekend.  She's probably the one person Sara would agree to live with (although I think Melissa and Adam rather enjoy their kid-free home...). 

I say it every time: it was hard to leave Minnesota.  I wish I could click my heals and be back there this minute.  I'm so glad that, although the weekend was too short, we could be there to help Melissa celebrate her accomplishments.  We're so proud of our Melvy!

May has been a busy (stressful) month, which has resulted in an unintended lag in my blogging.  To that end, I think I'll just go ahead and take a real break through the end of this month. 

See you in June!