I'd been planning the party for months.
My mom, a high school biology teacher, has been working towards her masters in biology for the past 2 years through a distance learning program with an out-of-state university. To say it has been hard would be a vast understatement, but because she doesn't like to complain and is herself the most positive person I know (second only perhaps to her mother), she probably wouldn't like me detailing the struggle of the past 2 years. But it has been hard. Really, really hard. I remember when Landon and I drove over to see my dad on his birthday and on Saturday morning I heard noises downstairs at 3:45. 3:45 AM. It was my mom, up early, so she could get some studying done before the day began. Then after 2 years of that, she had to spend 2 weeks in June at the out-of-state university working 24 hours a day to complete all the on-site lab work and take the comprehensive exam so she could graduate. At the end of the exam, on the last day of the program, she sent a text to all of us saying, "It was awful... I can't talk about it." (I should note that we later discovered she got an A on that test, something which did not surprise anyone in our family besides her.)
So obviously, at the end of all this, she needed a party. Both to celebrate her and her amazing achievement while working full-time (and working so hard she still got nominated for teacher of the year), and also for her family and friends to celebrate getting her back in our lives the way we know she wants to be!
I emailed my dad in April to suggest the idea and he agreed to fund whatever I planned (within certain budgetary guidelines, of course). It was the perfect partnership and I loved every second of the planning process. The only hard part was not saying anything to my mom! In the end we told her there was going to be a party (since there was no way we could hide it on the day of), but didn't tell her any details, including the guest list.
When she arrived at the restaurant on Saturday I think she was surprised to find 35 people there to honor her, and I know she was shocked to find her parents among them:
They had traveled all the way down from Northern Wisconsin just to be at the party in Houston for a few hours.
We are all so proud of my mom. My dad even kept his leaky eyes (as he calls them) in check for a short toast and then my mom made everyone cry by toasting all of us in return.
It was a great little luncheon and I'm so glad it all came together like it did. Though when you combine good friends, loving family, Italian food, cake, and a very good reason to celebrate- how could it not be wonderful?
Your mom is beautiful! And wow, you look so much like her! :)
ReplyDeleteIt just brightens my night of legal research to discover a new post here. Especially one as cheery as this one. When I read your blog, I hope that when I have kids, they will be as happy and easy going as Landon is, but your comment on how happy your mother and grandmother are makes me suspect that it must be genetic and thus I'm doomed! But reading your blog and seeing your positive outlook on life has made me change the way I think--well, at least some of the time. So thanks for blogging (and I love the wavy hair)!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your mom! That is a HUGE accomplishment. You guys seem like such a lovely family, too!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, your mom is beautiful! And looks more like an older sister. Did she have you when she was 10? Also... the positivity. I would love to hear more about how you (and your mother and grandmother) manage to stay positive. I have been making a real effort to complain less and try to be more positive in general. And it works well - until I am in the car on my way to work... and then it's all downhill from there (DC metro area).
ReplyDeleteDude, your mom is hawt. Sorry to be weird!
ReplyDeleteAlso she is awesome, and how special this was! Definitely a memory you guys will always have.
On the cake....Is your mom's name 'Glenda?' As in the good witch?
ReplyDeleteI love it!!!!!
The good witch is actually Glinda (or Galinda with a silent "Ga" if you've seen Wicked ;) but yep, my mom's name is Glenda. People are constantly spelling it wrong, but I've always liked it.
ReplyDeleteI was first introduced to your blog several years ago as a student in one of your mother's classes. Way to go, Mrs. R!
ReplyDeleteYour mom is amazing! Hope to see her soon to give her a big Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteLL, when i read the part about the final exam it sounded very familiar. Many times I recall you saying a test was brutal, you were so nervous you didnt do well, and lo and behold you got an A. Now we know where you get it! Congrats to Glenda, that is just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteOh! This made me cry! It was so sweet and so genuine. I think it touches that mama part of my heart and hoping my daughter sees me the same way some day. It's beautiful what you did for her!
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