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After 3 years of grad school, I am so proud to say that Chris has finally graduated from the Yale School of Drama! WOO HOO!!! I have ever been more proud of anyone in my entire life. And to make this time even more special for him so many special people showed up to support him throughout the weekend. Other than my own wedding day, I have never felt so much love in one place before. Family and friends really went above and beyond to rain down love on both Chris and me this weekend. I think that is what I will remember the most from this incredible weekend.

We had 17 people in town to celebrate with us. Chris and I had a very strict schedule planned for the weekend in order to keep things moving along smoothly, and it went incredibly well.

Friday night, Chris’ Mom and her boyfriend, Charles, Chris’ sister, Annie, and my family all got into town. We went out to dinner for pizza and enjoyed being with the smallest group of people we’d have all weekend.

On Saturday, we took the entire crew who had all arrived in town (17 people total) to New York for the day. The original plan was that we would all split up and do our own thing in smaller groups and then just meet up for dinner. But when I mentioned taking my side of the family to China Town, everyone decided to go! We took the entire crew (minus two who decided to go all athletic on us and walk the Brooklyn Bridge!!) to China Town and we didn’t lose one single person. Personally, I contribute this to excellent planning by the event coordinator (that would be yours truly) but instead I think it might be because it was so darn crowded you could only move about 3 ft. per 5 minutes. Its hard to loose people when they are morphed together by small, Chinese people.

That night for dinner we went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the Theater District, Angus McIndoe (if you go, try the salmon with apple stuffing – WOW!). A few friends from New York joined us for dinner and let me tell you – the wine was flowing. We had a wonderful, alcohol-induced love fest. By the end of the night we were all friends. Didn’t matter that we were technically three different families. Didn’t matter that several of us were divorced or in a family world war. That night we were all there for Chris and you really felt that at the table.

Once we got back into New Haven on Sunday, we spent the day walking around the campus and showing the family where and what we’ve been doing for the past three years. And then, of course, on Monday was THE DAY. I think the pictures speak for themselves. Can you see the relief in mine and Chris’ face?

Granddaddy and Grandma Brown, Chris, and me

My sister, Ginny, Me, Chris, and Chris’ sister, Annie

Chris with my family

Chris, his sister, his mom, and me

OUR Family

It was a perfect weekend. And I can’t tell you how relieved that Chris and I feel. It literally feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. While the weight of Chris going through school wasn’t on me, there was the constant pressure of being the only source of income, of wondering what would come next for us, of being chained to an academic schedule. I was really surprised how much pressure I was feeling. I didn’t realize it truly until this weekend when the weight lifted. I was almost lightheaded at some points.

And I cried. I told you that I would. I couldn’t help it. Chris looked so handsome in his cap and gown, and Yale is just so regal and majestic in their traditions that seeing Chris walk through gates that have seen over 300 graduating classes before, well, it would make anyone cry. But what happy tears!

I tell you something. I have sometimes thought about writing a book about mine and Chris’ relationship – something similar to what this blog is but the full story, starting all the way back when we were 15 years old. And while there are many reasons that this idea is truly a pie-in-the-sky thought, the most significant reason I can’t write this book is because stories are supposed to have ups and downs. There are supposed to be conflicts and resolutions. Fall outs and make ups. Fairy tales always have a dragon or evil queen in them, but so far Chris and I have just been blessed with roses and rainbows. I keep expecting a poisoned apple to fall in our paths, but we’ve been witch-free for 3 years. Now this doesn’t mean we don’t have our hang-ups and breakdowns. But we’ve weathered them, lived through them, learned from them, and moved on. I’m so full of happiness right now that I can’t wait to jump into the next phase of our lives. A new house! Chris’ new job! Maybe a baby eventually? Whatever that next phase is, I’m so ready for it.

4 comments | posted in Changes, Family, Jobs and Careers, Marriage, Marriage Confessions, New Haven, Yale | tags: Family, graduation, Marriage, Relationships, theater, Yale

This weekend is Yale’s Commencement weekend. Â Aside from weddings, Chris, and s’mores, graduations are just about my most favorite thing in the world. Â I love them. Â All those people there to celebrate the hard work that people have put into their degrees – just makes me happy inside. Â And it makes me cry. Â I’m a crier at graduations. Â I’ll cry even if I don’t know anyone whose graduating. Â I once cried at a televised graduation ceremony for some college out in Arizona (it was on Oprah). Â They just make me so darn happy. Â And with this one being Chris’ graduation, celebrating all the hard work he has done for three years…well…I’m tearing up just blogging about it!

Anywho – for Yale, Commencement is the be all end all of ceremonies. Â As you might imagine, pomp and circumstance were actually born here on the Yale campus. Â Ivy leagues love them traditions, and what is more traditional than a bunch of (drunken) students parading through 100 year-old gates and lawns in capes and funny hats? Â I mean, it just screams, “I love argyle!”

The most amazing part of the Yale Commencement weekend to me though is the week BEFORE the Yale Commencement weekend. Â You know how at Disney World everything looks perfect to the point where its like your on a movie set? Â That’s how Yale is during Commencement weekend! Â Take, for example, the large area of dirt that has been on the lawn near my office for months now. Â They are doing construction there so the lawn has been non-existent. Â This morning, I went into my office and there was dirt there. Â This afternoon I came out at lunch and sod had been laid, flowers had been planted. Â There was even a tree standing there. Â And its like that all over campus. Â Suddenly, potholes that have tormented my car all year are filled. Â Flower beds are full and blooming. Â Grass is green and luscious. Â Pathways and walkways are cleaned and lined with stone. Â And all of this within about a 24 hour period. Â It’s incredible. Â I expect to run into Belle or Snow White any minute now. Â I feel like I should break out in song.

I wish I could be cynical about it – “Ivy Leagues are so pretentious they need even their grass to be perfect” or “Looks like money can even buy a blooming tree.” Â But I just can’t do it. Â If Chris has to dress up like Merlin, then what’s wrong with a little magic on the campus this time of year?

0 comments | posted in Marriage, Marriage Confessions, New Haven, Random, Yale | tags: Disney World, Family, graduation, ivy league, love, Marriage, pride, Yale

‘Tis the season of bridal showers, three-tiered cakes, and crying flower girls. Â Last week alone we received four invitations to weddings and one invitation to a shower. Â Now, I love weddings. Â Any excuse to get all dolled up, cry in public, and eat bacon wrapped scallops and cake is fine by me. Â But, come on brides! Â Lets get our schedules together here!

The bad thing is that all of these weddings are people that we really can’t say no to. Â One is Chris’ old college roommate, one is one of my oldest friends and former bridesmaid, one is a current classmate of Chris’, and one is a former co-worker who I adore. Â And every single one of these brides could take me out in a street fight in under 2 minutes. Â We must attend.

There are several problems with this situation. Â First is the basic logistical nightmare. Â Chris and I will both have to take a week off to move into our new house (pause to think happy thoughts about the new house…!!) AND Chris will be starting a new job. Â We both are worried about our days off of work. Â Which brings us to the second problem. Â Only one of the four weddings are actually in the state of Connecticut. Â And two of them are in Florida! Â So we have to figure in travel time, air fare, and hotels… Â Which brings us to the third problem. Â Traveling during the summer is really expensive! Â Let’s say we manage to get ourselves together and both of us can take the time off of work (doubtful, but let’s pretend). Â We still have to fork out airfare for two people to Florida – twice! – and then hotels to put us up while we are there. Â And there’s rental cars, food, a new pair of shoes once I realize I have packed the wrong pair. Â And of course, there’s the gift. Â Which brings us to the final problem in this situation – I adore wedding presents!

I think it is because I know the wonderful feeling I had when people were so randomly generous for my own wedding, but I just love to give big wedding presents! Â I love it! Â The entire cookware set – check! Â An entire place setting, including china and silver – check! Â Large, random appliances – double check! Â Let me tell you, I am an awesome wedding guest. Â This is all in spite of Chris, who thinks we send a waffle maker to everyone. Â He doesn’t know, and as far as I’m concerned he doesn’t need to know of this habit. Â If he wants to take the time to go online, find the registry, pick out the gift, then fine. Â He can know what we’re giving. Â But until then, he has no say in this. Â Wedding presents are so much fun! Â But when we’re talking four weddings (and possibly my funeral if Chris finds out about the gift situation), it is going to get expensive. Â The cost of homeownership is marginal compared to wedding season.

But what can you do except put on your prettiest dress, grab some tissues, and practice your best chicken dance? Â Hold on to your hankies – it’s wedding season!

4 comments | posted in Husbands, Marriage, Marriage Confessions, Money, Vacation, Weddings | tags: bridesmaids, friendships, gift giving, Marriage, Relationships, Weddings

A co-worker called me today to see if my husband had been at the gym around 10:30 AM. Knowing that Chris practically has an allergic reaction every time the topic of gyms/diets/healthy living/green beans comes up, I confidently replied that, no, Chris had not been at the gym this morning.

“Strange,” said my co-worker. “Because there was a guy there that was built similarly to Chris and he had paint in his hair so I was almost positive that had to be him.”

I hung up the phone and immediately ran to Chris and relayed the conversation to him, emphasizing that the key descriptive factor here was paint in someone’s hair. Chris shrugged his shoulders and said calmly, “I don’t go to the gym.”

“I know that,” I replied. “The point is not the gym. The point is that my co-workers associate you with paint in your hair!”

“Oh,” he said.

“Oh? That’s your response? You aren’t the least bit embarrassed that paint in your hair is a common characteristic of you?

No response. Conversation finished.

What do I do? What do you do with a dirty husband? I mean, he has to work and his work is sometimes dirty. But short of meeting him at the door every night with a garden hose, I’m not sure how to fix this issue. He is obviously okay with a little paint in his hair, a little steel on his hands, a little saw dust on his face. And while that is wildly attractive to me when we’re, you know, widdling things, it is not so attractive when we are in public.

I am going to need reinforcements. I’m calling his mom.

0 comments | posted in Around the House, Husbands, Marriage, Marriage Confessions, Random | tags: Family, Husbands, hygiene, Marriage, Relationships