My friends as I sit here late Monday morning my heart is so FULL. I continue to tear up in sporadic moments of true JOY! If you need to read something positive this post Finally Crossing Home Plate is for you.
As you may know, Ian is a member of the high school graduating class of 2020. He is also my last one at home, the baby. These past 3 months I have had to comfort him, as well as myself, against the cancellation of several senior year milestones (prom, etc). After three different canceled graduation dates, on Sunday night we FINALLY got to watch him literally cross home plate on the field of the Texas Rangers stadium and receive his diploma.
Finally Crossing Home Plate
Graduation week started with the arrival of his sister. To finally lay eyes on my eldest after a very long and hard six months well, at best it could be said that I was a blubbering mess. We had an amazing week at home watching movies, planning decor DIY’s, sewing projects and boy did we eat!
People often ask if the twelve-year difference between my children is strange. Nope, they are true blue siblings.
Ian was overjoyed that his sister was here for this special moment.
Twelve years ago my foster sister Cindy, who lives on Oahu, gave Alyssa Lou a kukui nut lei to wear at her high school graduation. The Hawaiian name, kukui means “light” which is so fitting. It was lovely to see Ian wear the same lei twelve years later. He also wore his honor and club cords. In addition, he was gifted two beautiful braided lei’s representing Keller High (blue and gold) and the University of North Texas (green and white). They were made by his girlfriend’s talented mother.
Note that his bow tie encompasses Keller High and UNT colors. Wink!
After a week of downpours and a Saharan dust storm, we were so thankful that the day was relatively clear.
The Ceremony
It was interesting to be a part of only 2000 people in a mostly empty 40,000 seat open-air arena. Everyone wore masks and families were safely seated away from others.
Why yes, we DID match our masks that I made to our clothing. LOL
We watched/listened to an amazing set of senior twins harmonize one of the most beautiful renditions of our anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, that I have ever heard. This was followed by a virtual screen acapella performance of The Batlle Hymn of the Republic. which glory, glory hallelujah did that fill my soul!!!
My eyes grew misty when the principle broke down in tears as she announced the presentation of the graduating class. I am sure it was a huge relief for her to reach the finish line of what had to have been a very stressful end of the school year.
The graduates were seated at a safe distance from one another in the bottom row of the stadium near the home plate.
It was truly a lovely thing to see my son and his friends, walking single file, mostly six feet apart, wearing masks, to receive their diplomas.
Ian got lucky in that his good friend Gehrig was seated next to him. We were seated right above the boys.
The students removed their masks for a photo as they crossed home plate and FINALLY received their diplomas.
Some happy shenanigans occurred when a few kids slid into home plate, one performed a backflip, and there were several end zone booty bumps and dances.
Because of the small attendee limit, the school graciously Livestreamed the event. We had family and friends watching in Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and more.
My phone erupted in confetti and balloon emojis when they called out Ian Charles Ingalls Gunn.
A Small After Party
Afterward, everyone immediately had to vacate the stadium after the ceremony. We were so thankful to our son’s girlfriend’s parents for inviting us to a small pizza and champagne party at their home.
Megan’s twin brother, Matt, also graduated and they were celebrated by their wonderful siblings Tony and Madison.
I just want to squeeze them all up!!!
The Future
For now, we are still planning that Ian will leave in two short months for university. I am currently on the hunt for extra long twin bed dorm sheets.
I am also snuggling this beautiful boy every chance I get.
We are so happy that even in the midst of everything our nation is facing our son was able to enjoy a few moments of what graduation should be.
In the end, it was a MEMORABLE moment in time.
A Few Formal Snaps
Thank you for joining us on this happy journey.
Laura
A Look Back
The very first blog post featuring Ian shared an art project I gave to his kindergarten class.
Ian is in the front row wearing a white t-shirt with a green frog.
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TJ Maxx usually has beaucoup de XL twin sheets the month before….
Thank you Miss Dixie Lee! I will keep an eye out.
Oh my word,how perfect. This brought me to tears. So happy Ian got to enjoy a special event. How wonderful the school pulled this off. Congratulations Ian.
Thank you my dear friend Marty! You hav ecelebrated so many of our family moments and I am blessed to know you.
Congratulations to all of you – Happy Family! I’ve enjoyed following your family over the years, remembering when Sweet Boy became Sweet Guy, and now Ian the Graduate! Looks like the graduation was a wonderful event! Here in Jacksonville they’ve said the graduations will take place in July, so we shall see! Good Luck on the extra-long sheet search and all the other fun activities ahead! Faithful Follower, Jane
I’m so glad he finally got to have a graduation ceremony. I love that schools have been coming up with creative ways to provide this meaningful time for seniors.
Such a beautiful share. I love all your photos and glad everything turned out so nicely. Take care and now on to the next chapter. HUGS
Oh Laura!!!!
What a wonderful happy post!
congratulations to Ian! so happy big sis was there t share this momentous occasion !
Beautiful photos!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Much love/big hugs/huge smiles!!
Hee..have another Kleenex!!!
Loui
Sorry for the typos.
computer has a mind of its’ own today!
Loui
I love every photo, every story you shared here. What a ride this senior year has been. Who could have imagined last September that you would be dealing with masks and distancing, online school, car parades, and all those things. I applaud you as a mom for all you did to make this time extra special, even if stressful for everyone. Talk about hitting a home run, going the extra mile. Well done, Laura. And well done, Ian. Three cheers to the whole Gunn family!
Laura, I couldn’t help but tear up while reading this post. What a happy ending to all the recent confusing, challenging months! The weather cooperated, the Fashionista was there in all her glory, everyone safely following protocol, wonderful photos, lots of happy people and priceless memories made! I am so thrilled for all of you!
So happy for all of you! Graduation here this past week looked very strange, too. One for the memory books, for sure.
The Best!!!!!!! I am so happy for Ian, his girlfriend and all their school friends to finally have their graduation ceremony. It’s one for the history books, for sure!
May they enjoy a great freshman year at UNT in class or online,
Much love,
Barb ✨
Handsome young man. How wonderful to be able to still have a ceremony. The class of 2020 will always be remembered for sure. I can still remember the days of shopping for xl twin sheets. Pretty sure we found them at Target. God bless you youngest with a good knowledge of God! Blessings.
Congratulations Sweet Graduate!!! It has not been an easy year so far. The graduating classes of 2020 all over the world has been forced to accept, as well as figure out, so many disappointments and tough struggles. Gather all the lessons learned and share your knowledge to help the world recover and become better. You are inheriting a world in rough shap. But we know you are the generation to help it heal and become better. Thank you!
I am so happy for you, for Ian, and for your family to be reunited at such a momentous occasion. Definitely one for the books! Congrats!
Congrats Ian and friends …. so happy for all of you !!
Laura,
Thank you for referring me to your blog to learn about the unique and lovely leis. I’ve always wondered about the one Alyssa and Ian wore as I’ve seen many people wearing those. Mystery solved!! Love the fact that they shared that experience. The handmade leis that Megan’s mom made are spectacular and such special keepsakes..
I’m so glad Ian and his fellow graduates got such a special ceremony in their honor. The Class of 2020 is going places!
Ann