Mommy's College Reunion

Her shirt says "I Love Holy Cross"

Today I went back to Holy Cross. I had been back just three times in the past 10 years since I graduated in 2001. The first time was for homecoming in the Fall after my graduation. The second time was in 2007 when some former roommates were visiting from around the country and we made the trek to the hill to visit the campus (it had been 10 years since we met each other -- I think almost to the weekend). The third time was for my bridal shower in 2008 (a central location for family and friends).

Holy Cross holds some very special memories for me. I met some of my best friends there, the education shaped my life (and even what I do for work now) and the college experience was something that I knew I was fortunate to have while I was living it. I kept saying to myself, "Everyone says college is the best time of your life, enjoy each day of it." When I was back home during the summer all I wanted to do would be go back to school, and when I was at school all I wanted to do was take-in each class, enjoy the weekends with my friends, and spend time making relationships that would matter to me even ten years later.

Facebook really did make the reunion a bit different than I expected. I knew what everyone would look like (and I have to say, everyone looked amazing...we aged well :) I knew their spouses and children and I saw them grow over the few years that I've had my Facebook account. But, it was great to finally see them in person, and it was great to introduce them to Ella, the 9-month old they've seen grow up through my posts.

When I was showing Ella a bit of the campus I couldn't help but wonder if she'll be a Crusader one day. Regardless of where she goes, I hope she enjoys each moment of her college experience as much as I did whether she's in purple, or---maroon and gold.

It's been 10 years since...

She's growing up too quickly. 

...I graduated college. I remember thinking about the Alumni reunions even when I was on the hill at Holy Cross as a student. I kept thinking perhaps at the 5-year I'll be married, and the 10-year I'll have a baby or two but it always seemed so very far away. I always wondered what I would be like married and a mom, working or not, and what type of mom I'd be, how many kids I'd have and what type of job I'd have and on and on. I always had this vision of myself in my 30s and I guess the fact that my college reunion is this June makes me think about whether or not I achieved it.

I was speaking with a college roommate today about our children. She has a son who will be turning one soon and I have a daughter who will be 8-months old at the end of the month. Our conversation focused on the important things in life: our children, our husbands, and the rest of our family and friends. We talked about our children, how big they were getting (and how quickly it was happening -- in a flash!). We talked about our husbands and our mothers who both see and help take care of our children on a weekly basis, and we talked about how we both think a car ride bopping away to music is a bit of mom-time that we both enjoy.

The Stephanie of 10-years ago envisioned some semblance of a life that's like mine, only the reality is much better. It's much better because I have my health, I have my family, and I have my friends who have been my friends for over a decade. Some, even for several decades. I'm lucky because I love and I am loved, by them, my family, my husband, and my daughter. I'm thankful for the simple things in life.

When I say our nightly prayer with my daughter, I wish all of our family and friends health and happiness, not 2.5 children and a house in the suburbs and a vacation condo in New Hampshire. I hope I teach her that above anything else -- and to not envision herself older than she is, because man, those 10 years flew by. And, the only thing that flew by quicker than those 10 years was the past 7.5 months.