Mark, Luke and I headed to OK for Jayden's college graduation. Mark was congested and when he was under the weather, grumpy and quiet. We knew that Noah and Jayden would be graduating together, but we didn't know the future plans, just that she would be moving home. I had a long time and a lot of hours behind the wheel on the way out that I prayed and prayed. My prayer was that it would go well between the families and Mark and Noah. I felt sad the whole drive thinking about Jayden's future. It is exciting that she is graduating, I just have concerns for her future. We drove to Topeka Kansas on Friday, had dinner out, and watched the Iowa Hawkeyes and the NFR switching between channels. Sunday we drove to Alva and got checked into our room early and got ready for the graduation ceremony. Jayden stopped in to see us and get her dress and finish getting ready. Cynthia did her hair and make-up and she looked like a model!! She rarely does her make-up anymore and she was stunning. I saved the day by bringing Jayden's black dress from home and an extra pair of heels. I am really not sure what she would have worn had I not brought those. She was very unprepared and the shoes she wore were small and painful, but she had no choice. Jayden told us that Noah's parents and family friends would like us to join them for dinner at a Sushi restaurant after the graduation. I wanted to be supportive of Jayden and wanted to make this weekend a celebration and happy time. We had many thoughts and ideas and things we wanted to sit down and discuss with Jayden, but this was not the time. Her and Noah drove to the graduation together, she had his boots, he had her tassel. They are always helping each other out.
We sat in the gymnasium for the graduation and watched as the graduates marched in two by two. Noah and Jayden were side by side. It didn't take long for them to spot me and smile. I noticed the M family and friends across the way and waved. There were 8 people there to watch Noah. The ceremony was nice and Jayden got her bachelor of science degree. Noah walked across the stage by his nickname, "Shark" .before He will not be official or get his diploma until he finishes one class in the spring. Jayden walked across and got her diploma and officially graduated.
After the ceremony we started taking pictures. It didn't feel right that we were separate and I asked Jayden if she would like to take some pictures with Noah. We found him and his family and they grabbed Jayden for photo after photo. They were excited and happy and they embrace Jayden like she is part of the family. It was a little awkward as we started to intermingle. Cynthia said hi, then we hugged, then Esther, then Mari, then Izzy, and Bale. Then Mark was introduced. We walked on together taking more photos and Noah's family took one of the two of them smooching. As they stood together, smiled together, and laughed together, it became more evident to me that this relationship was not going to end any time soon. These two are to into each other. They are happy, they are compatible, and they are each others best friend.
I gave Noah a hug and congratulated him. Mark shook his hand and congratulated him. As our time in OK ended I realized that was the only chance I talked to Noah, same with Mark. I wished we could have stayed an extra night and Mark and Noah could have had a good chat. After the grad photos, we drove to the restaurant, an hour away. Three big loud trucks led the way like we were part of a caravan. Their trucks were loud diesels humming along so fast we could barely keep up. All 14 of us sat at a table, Ester wanted me to sit by her and we all chatted over our amazing food. I had met everyone except Noah's sister who I finally met too. The adults were all at one end of the table and the kids, those in their 20's at the other end. At one point out of the blue Noah's dad told Jayden that she is beautiful. She really did look stunning and Noah told her she could be a model. I agree and have thought that since she was 4. The dinner went really well and I was so very thankful that Mark got to meet Noah's family but to get a feel for what they are like. He agreed they are nice people and fun to be around. This was all answers to prayer. Jayden drove our truck back to the hotel to spend a little more time with us. I wanted to stay longer, spend some time with Jayden and maybe have a conversation with Noah. His family had said they would see us in the morning, but Mark wanted to get on the road as early as possible. This was to be a short trip, graduation and mover her home. We were in Oklahoma 20 hours and on the road for a total of 20 hours. I did not like that at all. The trip was way to short and the drive was way too long! We got to Jayden's "Struggle Shack" before 9 and helped finish up packing and loaded the horse trailer. The house she lived in was rough. It was always dirty, dusty, with flies and smelled bad. I was glad she was leaving that place. She had so much stuff to bring home, we piled as much as we could in the front of the trailer. Then it was time to load the horses. It took a bit of coaxing for Weenie, but we got them all loaded, Weenie, Filly, and Joker. Mark and I took turns driving the long drive back to Iowa. Luke is a good travel buddy, he likes to take long road trips, especially if he gets a snack at every stop. Jayden would have to stay for a few more days to finish taking her college finals, then would drive home in her unreliable truck. Her Dodge hasn't been running the best and she was worried about it making the drive home. Saying goodbye to the little "Struggle Shack" and the town of Alva was bitter sweet for Jayden. She enjoyed her years of college, living there, all the different roommates, and memories made. It would be goodbye to another chapter in her life.
Comments