Graduation Mishaps

I have to take a moment to reflect on the mishaps of Stephanie's graduation day. I can now laugh a little more since it is now a memory and we made it through just fine. Graduation was at 7:00 in the Cardinals Stadium. About 3:30 I decided to get myself ready so I could help Stephanie with any last minute preparations. (this is unusual for me and looking back at it I am so grateful I listened to this prompting). Stephanie thought she had to be there at 6:30, but at 5:00 as we finalized plans we read the instructions and realized she was supposed to be there at 6:00. Since it took twenty minutes to get there our time was already shortened, but we thought we would be OK. I convinced the boys they had to wear collared shirts and pants, rather than t-shirts and gym shorts. (that was a job) Then I asked Stephanie if she had pressed her gown yet. She said "Do we have to press it?" and I said not if you want to look like you just walked out of a box.........sure enough it was still in the shrink wraped package it came in. She then remembered that she also needed to press her white blouse (with all the tucks and gathers) that she was planning on wearing. So I tackled both of those while throwing dinner (Chicken, cheese casserole with stove top on top) together. The boys got dressed and began eating while I went to check on Stephanie......her hair was almost done and she was starting her makeup.....we had 10 minutes. We gathered up the cameras and tickets and were rushing out the door at 5:40. I figured we would probably make it OK as long as the traffic was good. We took two cars because our family doesn't fit into just one and headed to the graduation. Stephanie, Matt, Ben, Josh and I in the van and Greg, Amber and Andrew in the car. About 5 minutes from home, Stephanie realized she didn't have her phone (death to a teenager). I said you can have mine.......not understanding the gravity of the situation. She explains that she won't get any of the important text messages "meet me here" or "we are going there" if she doesn't have her phone. I make a rash decision and call Amber and tell her we are going back for the phone and to save us seats. (luckily we had split the tickets already or that would have been another disaster). We turn back and by the time we are leaving again it is 5:55. I am hoping all the way there that the 6:00 time was just to get the kids there early and she won't have any trouble getting in.

We arrive at the stadium at 6:30 and we have to park and enter at gate 3 and she has to enter at gate 2. They are not as close as they sound! about 1/4 of the distance around the stadium apart. She takes off in her high heels to get to her gate. As the boys and I enter the stadium we realize the seats are also at gate 2 so we start the long walk. Greg calls my cell and tells me where they are; we meet another friend Sam who is going to try to save nine seats by herself so I offer to help since we have extra bodies. We are almost to the seats when my phone rings.......it is Stephanie........she has forgotten the little pink card with her name and ID on it, which the councilors have stressed to the kids that they have to have in order to be let in to the graduation. It is in the van (at least it wasn't at home). She is panicked, me too!! I say I'll meet you at the van. We both head back to gate three as fast as we can possibly go and all the while I'm thinking they are never going to let me back in........ I talk to a security guard and explain the situation. She says the policy is no reentry...I'll have to get it cleared with my supervisor. She goes to talk to him, I follow, He looks at me like I am a crazy person (I am sure I look absolutely frazzled). He asks in this incredulous voice "what did you forget"...I am sure he is thinking.......graduation starts in 20min......what are you thinking? I explain he nods and says go out those doors and we will let you in through the same doors. Stephanie calls and is still panicking and asking "what is taking you so long"........It's not like I was on a leisurely stroll through the stadium........but I keep my cool and explain the situation and I am almost to the 66east sign in the parking lot. I catch a glimpse of her as the wind is blowing both of us and our hair all over the place. I unlock the car(thank goodness for the long distance beepers that allow cars to be unlocked and locked from a distance. she says "sorry mom" I say "it's okay.....should I drive you to your gate" she agrees and we get in the van not realizing that the way is blocked and I can only drive 1/2 way. I get her as close as I can and then as she jumps out I have to turn around in a blocked off row with no parking spots available. It takes 3 or 4 seesaws and I am turned around, but being stared at by many people waking down the row. I can read their thoughts "crazy woman what do you think you are doing?" If they only knew...........

So I make it back to gate 3. My parents are just inside the doors so they are waiting for me. I stand at the specific door and hope the secuity guard looks my way soon. She finally sees me. I meet my parents and walk fast back to the seating area. Whew! I find Greg and my children, Greg's Parents and Sam......yea! I made it.... Then my phone buzzes and my heart sinks...and then begins to race. I don't know what else we can handle in 5 minutes. It is a text from Stephanie.......It says "I made it. lol". I sigh and my heart begins to slow down. The ceremony was a good one. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Stephanie graduate into adulthood. But I was thinking......."It is a good thing she had her mother to help take care of her tonight!"