Yesterday morning, on May 1st, I walked into the kitchen to a sweet card and a bouquet of flowers (from my own garden) on the table. The card said to go outside.

I had been “flocked”. My yard was covered in pink flamingos, big and small. I was being celebrated by my friends and family on a major life accomplishment. I completed my work this week to earn my Master of Science degree in Communications from the Brian Lamb School of Communications at Purdue University. I will round out the program with a sweet 3.98 GPA.

I was so surprised. You see, it’s not easy to pull one past me. As my dear friend told me yesterday, I was not in charge of this!  I don’t care to be the center of attention (unless you are reading what I write). I like to be the planner. The organizer. With lots of color-coded spreadsheets. I like to fall back in the shadows and watch the excitement of moments I have created. Yesterday, I got to be in the moment.

Nearly twenty-two months ago I began this journey at the arch-rival of my undergrad, Indiana University, at Purdue. I had thought about a master’s in communication for several years. The timing was never right. I looked at half-dozen programs and Purdue kept surfacing to the top to meet my needs. Not to mention the national rank of the 13th best communication program.

I worked my hiney off in this program. I am proud to say I did not miss a single deadline. Even when we had no power due to a hurricane, or when I had major sinus surgery that I told no one about, or the vacations to Florida with no WiFi, the travel for work, and even in a pandemic. I even recall leaving a fun work dinner at 9:00 PM while traveling to get back to my hotel to finish an assignment. I had to make sacrifices.

I wrote hundreds of pages and I figure I wrote about 200,000 words during this program.

This journey was amazing. I grew so much professionally, but a great deal personally as well. I learned I can’t do it all. I had to set boundaries. I had to say “no” to some things. And you know what? That was ok.

Jason was an amazing supporter and cheerleader this whole time. He only complained a few times about me being unavailable or too busy. LOL! Now, I’m home all the time and even my work travel has been put on hold.

I am thankful, grateful, and blessed to have friends and family who are so proud of me as well. I hope I was also a role model for my own kids on how hard work will payoff to accomplish great things.

But, yesterday morning, my people celebrated me. Cars honked their horns and waved all day long as they drove by my decorated yard. My home office window faces the road and I got to relish in the joy all day. My authentic husband made me the most precious sign to congratulate me.

How cute is this! The gesture of this sign and knowing my husband made it out in his shop, out of love for me really humbled me. I absolutely love it, and him!

“We are blessed to have the friendships we do,” KP

My best gals decorated my house even more (they had me flocked) and came by to say congrats in real-life. Mandy and Karen started my morning off so special. My mom said my shirt was hard for her to look at though, even though she was super proud of me.

Having a tribe that loves you and supports you on your best and worst days is all you need. These women were sent to me from God many years ago and I treasure the moments we have together. This pandemic has been tough to only see them outside for short periods of time.

“After this mess is over I will never take for granted my friendships or the time I get to spend with them,” Mandy C.

Melinda and I practiced social distancing when she came over to celebrate me with a beautiful black-eyed-Susan vine. I can’t wait to get that beauty planted.

I had a pretty great day to celebrate my accomplishments over the last couple of years.

“Find your people and love them like crazy. I am blessed to have found my people,” Carrie Gray

Here’s to all the 2020 Graduates! You have a bright future ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. I love you all so much! 

 

While I was sad to not walk in West Lafayette next week for graduation, I was pleased that Purdue quickly made arrangments to get us our cap and gowns to commemorate the moment with friends and family. Or alone in my front yard with a bunch of pink flamingos!

 

Happy graduation 2020!

And support our local friends. If you have someone to celebrate, contact Flock it to Em.