Closing a Chapter

Today, I am officially closing a chapter in my life:

SCHOOL.

I graduated from Missouri State on Friday morning 

with a B.S. in Public Relations and Spanish.

All the work has finally paid off.

Although I never plan to stop learning,

after tomorrow,

my life will not be the same.

I will be a professional

not a student.

On Friday, I had a lovely time with my and the beau's families. 

It was great to have their love and support on a special day.

I would not be where I am at now without them.

I had the privilege of sitting next to two of my awesome PRSSA buddies, Doug and Chelly, who were of course live-tweeting the whole time.

I also had the privilege of having my new boss, Shawn Askinosie, give my commencement address after receiving his honorary doctorate in Public Affairs.

His words were both honest and inspiring.

He shared his post-grad struggles and how that shaped him as well as the lessons he has learned from farmers in poverty-stricken areas of the world.

I could not help being moved to tears thinking about the people I have encountered myself in Latin America over the years.

My thoughts wandered to their

 love,

sacrifice,

and joy.

I feel so honored to begin making a difference in some of those people's lives starting tomorrow at Askinosie Chocolate.

One of my special guests was my Aunt Pam Parry, who drove nearly EIGHT hours to see me graduate. 

She is a public relations professor at Belmont University, 

and one of the reasons I decided to pursue PR and join PRSSA. 

She has been such a great support and resource throughout these four years.

After graduation, I got to watch the beau graduate as well.

It was just too perfect to share that day with him.

I am so proud of all he has accomplished in his college career.

After two graduation ceremonies, I took my family to the chocolate factory and gave my first tour. 

It was great to share this next part of my life with them, 

and I think everyone had a blast trying all the chocolate. :)

Tomorrow is my first day at Askinosie, and a million emotions are running through my mind, but I am mostly excited. 

Because I have no other point of reference, I am treating tomorrow as if it were the first day of school.

I went to Staples and bought supplies.

I picked out my outfit.

I have packed my little briefcase,

and now, I am just waiting for tomorrow to come.

The sermon at church this morning was about Elijah passing his job on to Elisha, which was so fitting.

It is time for me to close this chapter and fill some big professional shoes tomorrow.

Here's to NEW beginnings!

-Coffeegirl