LDOC

Today is LDOC.  The last day of class for Carolina students.

Every April I've gotten geared up to graduate.  I've spent the last week of classes throwing caution to the wind and enjoying my last chance to visit YoPo and TopO, stopping by Starbucks every morning with friends to celebrate, dreaming about potential jobs, big moves, life changes.  I attend senior lunches, I play at end of year kickball games and plan for beach week.  I apartment hunt, city search and have long discussions regarding roommate options.  I repeatedly say, "this is the last time you will... ".

And then I sit back at my desk and watch others tidy their lives, close this chapter and move on.

This is the rhythm to my life.  The summers amble, the fall is full of new and the spring is a time of celebration and then closure.    

I spend 3 to 4 years getting to know a handful of amazing people, big personalities, who are motivated to achieve big dreams in real ways.  I spend every day with these folks.  And then I have the privilege of watching each of them make their way in this world.

One of my greatest joys always comes in the form of an out-of-the blue email - a narrative of where their journey has taken them.  Where experiences that were had under this roof gave them the opportunity to go.

I do what I do because I love the spring.  I have a front row seat to watching life take shape - unfold, seeing relationships that stick, weighing in on decisions that matter.

I have a front row seat to a time of life where growth is visible with the naked eye.

And this week, this last day of class, this group of seniors - they make the sacrifices worth it. 

And by the way, I've also learned from them that it is no longer cool to throw a frisbee on the quad.  I'm not sure if it really ever was - but that is not on the fun things to do the last week of class list, I'm sorry to say.