On June 26, 2022, I submitted my very last assignment for my very last class to finish out my Bachelor’s Degree program at Southern New Hampshire University. I FUCKING DID IT!!! I graduated from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in May 1986 and ever since then, off and on, I’ve been working toward this goal… and I finally–FINALLY–finished all the requirements for my first degree.

I had to commemorate this milestone with a post.

I wish my mom was here. I wish Greg was here. I know they would both be so proud. Thank you, Mike (my cousin) for pushing me to make a big deal about it. I deserve to make a big deal about this because it was hard. “Hard” is a tremendous understatement. There were times when I said, “fuck it” and never thought I would get here because the obstacles were so daunting.

So… I’m gonna celebrate it. I’m still on the fence about attending the graduation in person or virtually but regardless of which I choose, I’m going to celebrate it. I owe it to myself. I deserve it.

I remember telling my kids that I was going to graduate before them. When I think about the things in my life that I’ve wanted to accomplish, this has always been near the top of a long list of things that I never did (or haven’t done YET). Initially, I wanted my degree to help further my career. Then it was to change the career path I ended up on… Next, it was to justify the thousands of dollars in student loans (that I’m still paying) lol. Finally, it was to prove to myself that I could do it. It was to finish something that was just for ME.

I always tend to minimize the things that I do… I used to say I’m “just” a secretary many years ago. Just the other day, I kept emphasizing how long it had taken me to finish this course. Each time, it was someone else who had to remind me not to sell myself short. I appreciated these ladies’ words more than they will ever know.

August, girl, CONGRATULATIONS to you. YOU DID IT!