Graduation

Today was the big day! Evan and 132 of his peers graduated from high school at Austin Peay. The class of 433 graduates was broken into groups, and Evan walked in the third wave this afternoon. 

While Wes, Keagan, Makinley, and I watched the ceremony in person, the extended family watched him walk across the stage from our living room. COVID protocols only allowed four guests per graduate. However, I will gladly accept that compromise to be able to have a ceremony this year. 

The ceremony was so well organized. We arrived early enough to catch the slideshow that included baby pics of the graduates. 

After the ceremony, we had beautiful weather for outdoor pics. 

We celebrated with dinner at our favorite local restaurant and then returned home for cake. 

Senior Prom

Makinley’s high school hosted prom tonight at a local venue. While Makinley had her nails and hair done, Evan and I spent the afternoon at the NSC game. (I’ve never been more grateful to be a boy mom.) It rained all day long and ruined our plans for beautiful pictures at the country club. However, we had a 15 minute break in rain where we were able to get a couple of pics at the club house. Dinner plans were reserved at a local steak house, and Evan has been looking forward to dinner all week. 

My friend called me tonight and said, “Your teen looks like a 30 year old man!” Perhaps, but he’s still my baby boy. 

Friday Night Lights

If you had told me five years ago my boy would be in the stands watching a football game instead of playing in it, I would have laughed in your face. From the age of four, Evan has lived, breathed, and loved football. He watches it. He records a podcast about it. He studies it. He debates it. But he doesn’t play it. He watched one movie about CTE. And just liked that he put his helmet away and never looked back. I’m still trying to recover from the decision. It’s funny how life’s paths divert and take you places you never imagined. 

We have our own version of Friday night’s lights - on Saturday nights. 

Evan played in his first state league game with his new team this weekend. He fouled the forward in the box causing a penalty kick and we lost 2-3. It was heartbreaking. (Although I’ll give the offense credit for losing, too. They missed two PKs.) We play again this weekend; I hope he has a chance to redeem himself.