Last walk of Longwood

Late again. I think I’ve learned this annoying habit from my mom, one that has to be broken soon. So instead of leisurely walking to Willet I quickly threw on my attire and rushed across the grounds of Hogwarts, I truly felt like I was in a magical world with my robe flying open and excitement of a new adventure just beginning. My favorite part of the entire experience was praying with a best friend, Ashley. As like-minded graduates rushed by, we stepped aside to talk to God, to thank Him for getting us to this day. We stood by the prominent clock on Brock Commons and talked to the creator of the universe about our fears, excitement, and trusting that He has it under control, He already knows our life story and it ends happily, now that’s magical. Anxiously, we strutted into the gym, found our place amongst the black blurs of tangled emotions, and waited for the procession to begin. The crowd of graduates started to line up and stride off the bleachers. The methodical stomps hung through the air like an army of soldiers decked out in red were marching towards the front line. Only we were dressed in black and happily marching towards a future filled with hope and optimism. We twisted together in a zigzag line of look-a-likes preparing to take the much-anticipated walk. Then we strutted down a sidewalk we have walked many times before only instead of walking towards class, or lunch, or the library, we walked into a crowd of adoring fans each searching for their loved one. Like so many before us we marched for the last time as undergraduates towards an unknown future. We listened to speeches that reminded us why we loved Longwood, why we were sad to walk away, why we were happy to be going, we looked back on fond memories and were told to never forget – but who could? Then the time came. We stood and waited for our names to ring across the lawn, for our friends and family to scream in adoration as we screamed for our fellow classmates that ran across the stage. Finally, it was our turn. We lined up beside the stage getting closer and closer for that moment when the name caller said our name wrong but still we proudly stepped up with a smile on our face and took the fake me out diploma that signaled the end. We smiled at our professors knowing that we passed their rigorous tests and knew that we earned this sucker. We texted our friends confirming that we did it and it was time to wrap this mess up for we were starving. We stood and marched into the arms of those we loved and happily smiled for the photos, all the time wondering ok now what?