SUR.REAL

When you reach the finish line of a race, the course doesn't seem as long or as difficult as it did while you were in the midst of it. That's how I feel this week, and it wasn't even my race.

On Saturday, Hubs graduates for the second time in our marriage. It's a lot different this time. When he graduated from dental school [2009] I threw a big party [click here to review], we left for Hawai'i two days later, we moved for the first time two weeks later, I had just quit one of my favorite jobs and life was a bit crazy. There was a ceremony and a cap & gown and he was officially pronounced as a doctor for the first time. It was exhausting and stressful and the very next day I accidentally locked myself outside our apartment and sat outside for hours with a migraine headache.

When he graduates from orthodontic residency in a few days, there will be no party or vacation, we have no moving plans yet, and I'm still working at my job. Life is normal (depending on your definition of that word) and we are celebrating in a much calmer way. There is no ceremony and no cap or gown, just a nice dinner and a program with awards and congratulations. Although it is different, the excitement is just as high.

The first part of the race was hard. We struggled to find our stride. There weren't a lot of people nearby to help keep us going and it really felt like the end was forever away. The work was long and strenuous, but Hubs kept pushing through. We kept trying to find the new normal for our life.

About halfway through, we found our pace. People came alongside of us to cheer us on, to support and to encourage. We were enjoying it, and although we hit a few bumps and found times of fatigue, we knew we would make it to the end.

For the last few weeks, we have been sprinting to the finish line. We have been thinking about what happens after we finish and trying to prepare for it. We still aren't sure what will happen, but that will come in a different post.

It's kind of nice that this time is much calmer. We get to enjoy the finish much more. Hubs has raced extremely well and he is finishing with excellence. I couldn't be more excited for him and am so thankful to have shared every moment by his side. And I'll keep on cheering for him even after he runs through the tape at the end.

And, just like finishing a race, I'm so glad that we did this, but I'm not interested in doing it again for a really long time.