Columbia Graduation Weekend!!!

This weekend was a huge weekend!!!  All of the sweat, tears, sleepless nights, and long commutes finally paid off. My brilliant, darling husband is an Architectural Master!!

Grandma and Grandpa Klinge even flew across half of the country to join in on the fun…  They arrived Sunday night, ate dinner with us, and snuggled up on the giant air mattress. On Monday, they helped us move Nate out of his studio one last time, browsed campus, and took a mini walking tour of White Plains.

Miles always has a great time hanging out in studio..

Paul enjoyed trying on Nate’s designs…

 

Then we walked through campus a little…

and browsed through Nate’s exhibit…

… while Miles climbed on someone else’s exhibit.

Tuesday morning, we packed up the whole group for graduation in Manhattan.

The graduation was outside on Columbia’s campus. This would have been a beautiful idea had we enjoyed 75 degree weather and sun. Instead, we got really soggy in 50 degree temps and constant rain.

Kathy was a champ – optimistic in the face of adversity!

Paul went on an adventure to find poncho’s, an extra umbrella, and hot chocolate.  We were glad to see him again!

 

We had a 2 hour wait for graduation to start…  By the time the festivities began, Miles had already given up.

After the large university commencement, we watched Nate walk to accept his actual degree during the Architecture graduation.

We were all super proud of him!

We tried to celebrate with the free lunch, but it was still super cold – the food and the weather!

We contemplated heading into Times Square to enjoy the city as much as possible while we were there, but quickly decided to venture back to the train station to head home and warm up instead.

We were super exhausted from the emotional, icy, wet day. Miles decided to give us all a little time to rest.  He voluntarily locked himself up. Thanks, Miles! We needed that!

 

Paul and Kathy brought gifts for the graduate, Miles, and me. A very unnecessary gesture that was much appreciated.  Then… we celebrated a little more with wine and a few new foods for Grandma and Grandpa: sushi, Pad Thai, and sesame chicken.  I understood their opinion of the dinner to be ‘interesting…’  I was soo proud of them for trying foods outside their comfort zone!

In a typical fashion, this big day ended with a story or 2.

On Wednesday, I headed back to work while Nate and Miles lead Grandma and Grandpa around the city. I wasn’t there, so I cannot comment of the details. We’ll let this photo montage narrate the adventure….

The train ride south.

Times Square

The M&M store

Lunch at Friday’s

the viewing deck @ Rockafeller Plaza

Winding down the night with a soothing bath!

We had a fantastic time celebrating Nate’s accomplishment and the arrival of our visitors.  They leave tomorrow afternoon, and we wish them safe travels. 

 

Wow…. Nate’s an Ivy League Graduate!!  That’s a phenomenological feat!  I love my distinguished, extraordinary husband!!

Posted in: graduation,Kelly,Miles,Nathan