September 4th, 1997. Chelsea’s first day of kindergarten.
May 18th, 2014. Chelsea’s last day of college.
It wasn’t the scarlet gown, the black mortarboard or the gold tassel…
It wasn’t Pomp and Circumstance, the National Anthem or the singing of Clarissima, Boston University’s Alma Mater…
It wasn’t the Invocation, the Benediction or the tossing of the caps…
…though each produced my all-too familiar lump-in-the-throat…
Nope.
It was the twenty-two letters.
The twenty-two letters so beautifully displayed, and forever inscribed, that took my breath away.
Those letters?
CHELSEA ELIZABETH SAGEER
Upon seeing Chelsea’s name on her college diploma, I was immediately flooded with touching childhood memories. Memories of the first capital ‘C’ Chelsea ever wrote by herself; the first time she correctly printed her full name in the upper left-hand corner of her wide-ruled practice paper with dotted lines; her cursive signature at the top of the always dreaded but very familiar blue books; her scrolly doodles on thick study packets; and the hundreds of times I signed my name, so proudly, on her behalf. I drifted back to the little things…the thought of her soft little 5 year old hands with the tiny white birthmark on her right index finger wrapped so tightly around her extra-large Crayolas; pencil boxes filled with Ticonderoga-Dixon #2s, glue sticks and blunt tip scissors; spiral notebooks, rainbow colored index cards and Trapper Keepers; text books, scripts and sheet music; high school papers, college essays and applications; resumés, cover letters and contracts…
It’s extraordinary… how the compilation of the seemingly little things come together to create the most important thing… a big, beautiful life. From the learning of our alphabet to the signing of a contract. The last can’t happen without the first and everything in between.
As Chelsea’s family, we adore watching her journey through life. And when we try to imagine her life beyond her college years, it’s a pretty safe bet that it will be riddled with adventures that tap into both her artistic and intuitive sensibilities along with her love for problem solving. She was the very little girl who would ask if we were sure we parked on the correct side of the street since the sign read Parking On Even Days Only; she was the pre-teen who stood solo and belted Alicia Keys in her little pink poncho at her 6th Grade talent show; and she’s the young woman who will be starting her career as a Digital Media Coordinator.
We are so excited to see what life holds for our sweet little girl who started school on that crisp September day wearing her blue suede shoes, her Barney backpack and her beautiful smile.
Congratulations, Salsa!
We are so very proud of you!!
Nicole says
Bravo Chelsea bug!!! So happy and proud of our girl!! It’s just the beginning! Go light the world on fire!! Love love love her!! Awesome post Ann! Thanks for sharing such sweet memories!! Xo ☺️
Annie says
Thank you, Nicole!! 🙂
Chelsea says
Mom, you have a way with words. Thank you for allowing me to take a step back from all of the post-grad craziness and reminisce for a minute! This post brings tears to my eyes but I absolutely love the trip down memory lane. Who would have known that all roads led to Boston, and that those 4 years of college would go by faster than the blink of an eye? I love you and Dad so much, and I am so grateful for everything you two have done for me. I owe it all to you guys. ♥
Annie says
Chelsea,
You’ve given us so much to smile about and there’s no doubt your future will provide us with just as much joy. Lucky us! Your future is very bright, Sweeta! And in a couple weeks – Boston will be brighter too!
We love you so much!
Mom & Dad
Dad says
A great post celebrating an equally great accomplishment. Congratulations Chelsea! You continue to make your family proud! We love you!
Annie says
Thank you! 🙂
Tracy Higginbotham says
Annie: What a wonderful post and tribute to your daughter’s success. Thank you for sharing it. Tracy
Annie says
Thank you, Tracy… Our kids are growing up! Congratulations to you, as well!
Connie says
Gulp…sniffle…wow…time goes too fast…all grown up and still so cute! Great post Ann…
Annie says
Thanks, Connie… Oh yes, this is real… 🙂