Bitter Sweet Overwhelm and an E-card

I am less than two weeks from graduating. I find myself reminiscing most of the 5 hour drive home from Chicago. It makes me laugh and it makes me teary.

On Saturday morning, while Dan and I were doing our Saturday morning ritual of me picking him up at O'hare and having breakfast of oatmeal together at Gleacher, I realized how much I was going to miss having breakfast Saturday mornings with him. We talked about it and how much he appreciated me picking him up at the airport so he didn't have to ride the L.

A week ago we both got stranded in Chicago on Saturday night due to a nasty storm. Bless Tasha and Jeff who on my word let a stranger crash at their house. So both Dan and I stayed there. Luckily Danny got on the first flight out on Sunday and my drive home on Sunday wasn't too bad.

I talked with Ryan on my way home and talked to him about how much I was going to miss seeing them all every weekend, and we both agreed that for a while we would all get readjusted to our normal lives but that we would be working to stay close.

Danny's wife, who I can't wait to meet, asked Dan how he met me. Ryan and I talked about it and we agreed that it was destiny that the group of us have become so close. We believe we would have come together no matter what.

• Dan was the first one I met there we connected immediately since we were both former Badgers.
• Ryan sat in front of Dan and I during orientation and I remember thinking I want to meet him. He looks really smart.
• John I met during the after orientation social.
• John, Ryan, Francisco and I all had our first quarter morning class together.
• Ryan and Dan were in their afternoon class together.
• Dan met Craig both being Badgers connected, and Craig knew Ryan because Ryan's sister works with Craig.
• Craig knew Wes another former Badger.

I'm blessed beyond measure to have met these individuals who have all become so close and so important to me.

Tonight, I was working on the marketing plan the project, Dan, Ryan, Francisco and I are working on and I found myself getting teary. This is the last project. This is the last school deadline. Its the last major thing standing between us and graduation. It's ......surreal.

Tonight, I also got an e-card from Leeners...that also made me cry. Not because it was sad, but just because she knew exactly where I was at ...she knew exactly what I was feeling. Thanks, my friend and I'm sorry you can't make graduation but I understand.

I'm overwhelmed beyond belief....