Our daughter Denali just graduated cum laude from California State University, Monterey Bay with a B.S. in Marine Sciences and a minor in Biology.

College was a rite of passage and an important milestone in my life. Looking back I can say without a doubt that my college years were some of the happiest of my life. During my four years in school I developed deep and long lasting friendships, fell in love for the first time, learned to play the guitar and had my world view expanded by my professors and the classes they taught. My college experiences helped make me into the person I am today. Graduation Day however was scary. I was moving on from a safe, fun and nurturing environment into the great unknown. I remember feeling anxious and uncertain and a bit like Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate once all of the hoopla from graduation died down (at least no one asked me what I thought of plastics). All of these thoughts are swirling around in my head as my daughter is on the cusp of her college graduation.

Wait, wasn’t it only last week when you came bursting into this world four minutes ahead of your twin brother Sam, eyes closed, your body slick from birth? It must have been only a few days ago when you took your first steps, took your first spin on a two-wheeler, entered preschool, began Kindergarten. I’m pretty sure that a day or two ago you aced the STAR test in 2nd grade, flew like a dervish up and down the soccer pitch, soared through the air like an eagle, landing with a splash of sand into the long jump pit. Don’t quote me on this but I’m certain that yesterday was the day you got your driver’s license, graduated high school with honors, got your first job and was accepted to the university down in Monterey. But there’s no disputing this: today you’ll receive your Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science with a minor in Biology, once again graduating with honors.

When you and Sam were born friends and family who were already parents gave us the same advice: enjoy every moment because it happens fast. Yea, I’m saying to myself, “cliche.” How wrong I was. As I reflect upon your upcoming graduation my head is literally spinning. How could the past 22 years have gone by so fast? I’m happy to say that I haven’t missed one key moment in your life so far. Being teachers, mom and I had the luxury of a ten week summer vacation and we all made the best of it: trips to Hawaii, river rafting, a three week adventure in Costa Rica, music festivals, camping, hiking, fishing. Our family did it all, wringing every precious drop out of our summers together. I’ve been there for all of it sweetie, the good times, the challenging times and just the everyday moments of your life. The older you got the faster the wheel seemed to turn. By savoring each moment I managed to maybe slow it down just a hair but alas time marches on. Life speeds up the older I get, how come no one ever told me this?

It fills my heart to bursting when I see you spread your wings a little wider every day. You and your friends are renting a house, you won’t be living  here anymore. What a bittersweet time this is, my little girl is heading out into the big, bad world. I think you’re well equipped; you’re brilliant, talented, driven and have a great sense of humor. I see the wonderful woman that you’ve become and I’m so proud to have been there to help guide you. But of course I’m still here and will continue to be just a text or phone call away. Parenting is a full time job.

Your future is today, right here, right now. You’ll walk down the aisle amidst your fellow classmates, family and friends all around, tears of happiness in our eyes, smiles of pride on our faces.  It’s the end of college and the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Turn the page, do you see it? An empty canvas waiting to be filled, a story yet to be told, roads to travel, mountains to climb, the endless blue of the undersea world to explore. You’re limited only by the dreams you choose to dream so dream big! Remember the journey is the trip, linger as long as you can at each stop along the way, getting there is half the fun. Most importantly soar as high as you can my dear mockingbird! I love you more than words can tell.

Love,

Dad