As I was finishing my last clinical rotation of PA school at the Naval Hospital ER, Matt and I were contemplating what plans the USMC had for us. Matt had put in his application for recruiting duty, a 36-month "b-billet" in which the marine leaves his usual job, or MOS (military occupational specialty) in order to fulfill a different role. In order to become a recruiter, you must attend an 8-week training course at MCRD San Diego, before receiving your "permanent" duty station.
When Matt missed out on the June school date, we assumed he would get the August school date. (Mistake #1: Never, under any circumstances, shall you try to give the military a deadline.) As my July 29 graduation date neared, we decided to pack up the apartment in anticipation of our move. We also assumed that we would get stationed somewhere in the western half of the United States. (Mistake #2: Never try to predict your next move.) Justine was getting married 3 weeks after I graduated so I figured I would DRIVE back to Idaho, and have 1 of our vehicles on the west coast for our future duty station.
Fast forward to graduation week: My parents visited and so graciously helped us pack up our apartment during their stay. My mom met her "granddog" for the first time and I think it was love at first sight!
I told my parents not to expect much out of my graduation ceremony <-- understatement of the century! Because the PA program graduated in the middle of the summer, and not in the spring with the rest of the university graduates, we had to host our own "convocation ceremony" (we weren't even allowed to use the term "graduation"). It was held in the performing arts theater on campus, sans cap, gown, and master's hood. The ceremony began with a prayer. That's right, a prayer. After spending 2 years in the Bible belt, I don't know why this still surprised me. Perhaps I was still holding onto the ideal of separation of church and state, seeing as we were at a PUBLIC university. After the amen, it was time for us to receive our degrees certificates. Being that my last name now starts with a "D" (still can't get used to being at the beginning of the alphabet), I was set to be one of the first to walk across the stage. Or so I thought. They started calling the names in order, and I readied myself for my turn.
They called the girl to my left, then the girl to my right. No Lindsey Densley. I figured it was an innocent mistake, but part of me still panicked. Did I not meet the requirements for graduation?! Alas, somebody whispered in the announcer's ear, she back-tracked, and called my name. Whew. After some other formalities, the ceremony was FINALLY over. We took the customary pictures and booked it off that campus ASAP.
Our "after party" was in the courtyard of a restaurant called the Bicycle Shop in Mobile. We promptly ordered a round of vodka shots as a reward for sitting through that ceremony (oh, and enduring 2+ years of grad school). Although the food and the company was good, we didn't last long because of the sweltering heat and humidity. Instead, we dined at a beloved Spanish Fort restaurant, Stix. That's it! I did it! Lindsey Densley, MHS :)
Next, we celebrated my parents' 32nd anniversary at our favorite Pensacola restaurant, The Fish House.
Also during their trip, we took a trip to Destin for a belated Mother's day gift- parasailing!
As their visit neared it's end, my mom flew back to Boise and my dad, Sawyer, and I packed up the Corolla and headed west. Pensacola --> Dallas (lovely dinner with the Ailshies) --> Albuquerque --> Las Vegas! Dad dropped me off in Sin City for Justine's bachelorette party and continued on to Boise with the pup. Next post: Cook-Lynch wedding festivities!
