The Mishaps of a Graduation

It's official: I am a college graduate. Who would've thought this day would actually come? Not I, that's for sure.

But because God has a sense of humor and enjoys taking it out on my life, I'm going to share just a few of the lovely details of what went wrong on this "special" day. Don't worry, I did have a very nice, memorable graduation--but it just wouldn't have been complete without a few "awkward" moments that probably wouldn't happen to anyone else but me. Don't fret--it wasn't the first "special" day that has gone array, and knowing me, it certainly won't be the last.

The day that something doesn't go wrong will be the day that will truly be "special." 

So, sit back, relax, make some popcorn, and pray that when you graduate from college these things don't happen to you.

1. Make sure you have EVERYTHING with you: At a graduation ceremony, each graduate has their name phonetically written on a piece of paper so the announcer can say the appropriate name correctly. Make sure you don't forget what you need, especially this silly little paper at a graduation. If you do, as I did, you'll have to get out of the line you're standing in to receive your diploma, run back to your seat across the stadium, look for it underneath your chair, and run back to your spot in line before you cross the stage.

2. Unrelated events will bum you out.  Even though it's your graduation, even though it's your "special day," life doesn't stop. Hence the fact that my phone broke on the day of my graduation, inconveniencing me for the rest of the day.

3. DON'T PANIC. In true "Jennifer on special occasions" style, I was running late. So, it was just my luck that the zipper on the dress I was supposed to wear happened to break five minutes before I was supposed to leave the house. Thank God for sewing kits and family members that are there to help fix you up.

4. It's your special day, but other people have lives too. It's selfish to think that just because it's "your day," everything and anything should be about you. I'm constantly reminded of this, but especially on special days like my graduation. Life doesn't stop, and other people's lives shouldn't stop for you. Things happen and people may have different emotions, even if it is "your day."

5. Pictures are annoying, but you can never have too many. I'll admit, I'm not a photogenic person (though I secretly wish I was). I'll admit, I don't enjoy taking pictures, or being in them for that matter. BUT, realizing the morning after that there aren't as many pictures with certain people that you'd like is a bitter epiphany. Take a deep breathe, suck it up, and let people take as many pictures as they want. You'll be appreciative later down the road.

Regardless of the things that went "wrong," there are so many things that went right. I'm blessed to have amazing family and friends to spend my special day with, and my college years and graduation will always hold a very special place in my heart.  After all, these mishaps only make looking back a bit more fun and memorable. Life isn't perfect, especially mine. It's only appropriate that a day to reflect on four years of my life mimics the life I've led: comical mishaps saved by loved ones, all with a dash of irony.