In case you missed it (or misunderstood what all of my melancholy blog posts were leading up to) I graduated from Mercer on Saturday.

That being said, you’ve probably already read about my graduation already, because JIMMY CARTER & GREGG ALLMAN WERE OUR COMMENCEMENT GUESTS. That’s right folks, our commencement address was given by none other than the Honorable Jimmy Carter followed by a performance by Gregg Allman.

It was incredibly memorable. You could tell how much love and respect that Jimmy Carter has for Gregg Allman. Shortly after, our degrees were conferred and I walked across the stage to receive my diploma [cover].

It was fascinating! I’m not a huge crowd/audience person, so most of the pictures taken of me walking include a very stiff upper lip. (SIDE NOTE: I don’t mind public speaking or presenting to large audiences, but there’s something about public recognition that makes me a little uncomfortable.) Hayley and I played a game to try to determine whose family would cheer (spoiler alert: part of mine did). It was long, but it was definitely well worth it.

We had a dinner reservation after the ceremony, so instead of trying to get pictures among the throngs of people, we went back Sunday morning.

I’m sure everyone thinks they had a great time in college, but I had a great time in college. Mercer University was a great place for me to grow up, meet my future husband (who surprisingly was not photographed with me Saturday or Sunday… go figure), and establish the beginnings of a lifetime of change making.

Thanks Mercer, it’s been great.