Thank you for your support

I have the best friends imaginable.

After I found out I passed the bar, I was reminded yet again how thankful I am for such an amazing support system, for so many wonderful friends and family members. They were there for me when I failed the bar the first time. They were there for me when my very first ultrasound revealed there was no heartbeat. They have been there for every high and every low I've gone through the past few years.

My coworker came back to my office after hours and decorated it in my favorite color. I walked in Friday morning to pink balloons everywhere, pink candy strewn across my desk and a new pink mug filled with Hershey's kisses next to a pink note of congratulations.

My Bible study group made a "Bar Box" for me, filled with all sorts of creative "bar" treats - on-sale Easter candy labeled "a BARgain," a BARbie doll, BARs of soap and a BARnes and Noble gift card. It was the sweetest, most thoughtful gift imaginable!

I spent an afternoon with one of my best friends doing all the things I've felt guilty "wasting time on" the past few years. We went back to our alma mater for a local multicultural festival and went thrift shopping. I spent the entire day out with friends and didn't for one moment feel like I should be home studying.

I had a couple of studying-for-the-bar shirts - my husband got me one that said "I have no life, I'm studying for the Bar" and my coworker made one with her Cricut that said "Eat Sleep Study for the Bar". I joked to both of them last October that at least I'd get some more use out of those shirts.

Never again! I'm so happy.

Law school graduation is deceitful. It's this big hooplah, this massive celebration of pomp and intellect. We get to wear these heavy robes, everyone applauds our achievement, we take a collective sigh of relief....and then reality sets in. We're not done, after all. Not even close. The biggest hurdle is still looming just ahead. It's not fair, really - graduation is overshadowed by the Bar. You've finished school, but you're still miles from the finish line.

Now, almost a full year later, I can look back at my graduation pictures and feel nothing but relief.