The Spokane River
Spokane is called "Lilac City." It was bursting this weekend with fragrant flowers and happy families celebrating the graduates.
Amanda received the "Pat Ruzyla Nursing Award" on Friday.
The "spires" of Gonzaga University seen from our room at the Oxford Suites hotel. The exciting day dawned with perfect weather from start to finish.
The commencement program was excellent, with bagpipes (sorry, John) leading the processional and recessional.
So many happy faces at the McCarthey Athletic Center, in the audience and on the graduation floor. The commencement venue is the stadium home of the famous Zags basketball team, so excitement here is nothing new.
Four long years of work and study comes to a close, and now the professional career begins for our freshly minted Nurse Practitioner. Amanda takes her Board Exam this summer, and then (no surprise) already has a first job lined up. She will be based at Family Health Center in Twisp.
This degree would have been an incredible accomplishment anywhere, but especially living in such a remote rural area, requiring countless computer and driving hours.
However, she couldn't have done it without the love and support of her family, in particular Tom, who never complained about all the sacrifices they made along the way. (OK, hardly ever!)
Let the party begin! We had dinner at the Melting Pot restaurant and it was exciting stuff for the Methow Valley kids. When the chocolate pot arrived, better take care not to get speared by a fondue fork. Ha!
Last but not least, we had time to enjoy the beautiful Riverfront Park, ride the historical carousel and reminiscence about the 1974 World's Fair.
We got back to Seattle yesterday afternoon-- tired but still filled with the afterglow of an unforgettable weekend.
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