Physical Therapy School Graduation!

FINALLY!!  Is that crazy or what?!? What a wild ride it has been. 5 years of college to get my bachelors degree, plus semesters of taking pre-requisite classes required for PT programs (classes I hated, such as chemistry), 5 years of working as a physical therapy tech for minimal pay to get experience hours built up, 3 years of applications sent to PT schools followed by rejection letters, interviews gone bad due to my uncontrollable need to be completely honest, more application process followed by an acceptance letter, 2 years of physical therapy classes including cadaver dissections (such an amazing experience that I wished I was blogging during that time so I could go back and read about it later) and labs practicing physical therapy on classmates (getting to know each other too well in the process--aka naked Tuesday lab) and 1 year of clinical rotations. Not to mention a health scare, getting engaged, planning a wedding in 2 months, tying the knot, experiencing pregnancy while living 160 miles away from my husband and, and have a baby all in one year.

I am still currently finishing up my last 8 week clinical (since I missed my first one after Caden was born) so technically I haven't completed my PT school requirements and won't get my diploma until August.  This also means that at convocation (our doctoral hooding ceremony) and commencement ceremonies they announced everyone else as "Dr. ___  ___  ___."  while I sat out of alphabetical order from my classmates at the very back of the line so I could be announced as "Lacy Beth Coltharp" since I had one more (elective) clinical to go.   It was noted in the program that I was graduating in August pending completion of requirements.  I know it's silly but that was a real bummer for me.  It is a clinical doctorate degree and I would never really want anyone to refer to me as "Dr.", but it did sting a little to be sectioned out from my class.  Graduation ceremonies are boring, I wasn't there for the thrill of walking the stage.  I was there for the thrill of uniting with my classmates as we finish up our degrees and hearing that announced--so it kinda felt like a bit of a slap in the face or like I had failed at something.  The sting didn't last long though, I was too excited to worry about it.

Bryan and Sarah at graduation!



Caden's fan club

 

Cody, Caden, Me, Mel (+ future nephew), and Dusty

Love my family!

Us with Randy and Cindy (Cody's mom & dad)

only because Caden's hair is awesome in this pic

My family

Caden's "cheese" face.  LOVE this baby!

Caden and his Poppy



Yay!!!

Celebration dinner with friends




Caroline celebrating with us!

Dad, Bryan, and Cody

Zach and Amber

Caden and his "Aunt" Diana.  He's so blessed to have her in his life!!

Caden and Oriana.  She calls him the "PT baby" since my class was so involved with him and my pregnancy.

After our convocation ceremony.

Getting "hooded".  (is that even a real word?)

Me, Diana, and Kimberlee--words cannot describe how much I will miss being with these girls everyday.

Me and my boys :)

I can distinctly remember telling people that "I won't graduate until May of 2011" with my tone saying "so so far away". May 21, 2011 has come and gone! What an incredible journey these last 3 years have been!