Closing the College Chapter

I can't believe it.  I'm graduated.

After over 18 years of schooling, I have a degree that I can use to go make a difference in the world.  Did I ever imagine my life would pan out the way it has?  Nope.  Am I grateful for the way it turned out?  Oh yeah.

Contrary to popular belief, if you were to ask me five years ago where I thought I'd see myself today, I never EVER would have said I would end up with a degree in Horticulture.  And you know what?  You often don't know what's good for you anyway.

Words can't express how grateful I am for how incredible the past five years have been.  And I would not have had such a great experience had it not been for the people that joined me for the journey.

If you aren't personally mentioned in this blog post and you feel that you've made a difference in my life, THANK YOU for everything you've done!!!  Now all my bases are covered.  : )

First and very foremost, to my family:

Parents: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.  You two were always my biggest support in every way, and I knew I could count on you for solid ground and a bigger perspective. I love you two more than I could ever express.

Mom, my best friend, my "love doctor" counselor who heard anything and everything about my boy drama, and the best mom anyone could ask for.  All of your well wishes, prayers, cards, and care packages kept me going and motivated me to keep going and not let you down.  You are such a great example of what kind of Mom I want to be.

Dad (a.k.a. Papa Bird), I LOVE YOU.  Despite the fact that you had to often hide in your office when the estrogen became overwhelming with me, Mom and my sisters, you have been a huge support to your princesses.  I will never forget the time when you came to see me in Denver during a very dark time in my life and how you were right there to put your arm around me when I completely lost it.  You taught me what true devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ looks like through your example.  I love you so much, and Baby Bird will never forget where home is: with her Papa Bird.

To all my grandparents:  Thank you so much for all the cards, letters, phone calls, and Skype conversations. Your support during this whole schooling ordeal has been such a help in keeping me connected to family, which was something I was worried about being in Idaho all by myself.

Natalie (Kitty, Nat-Nat, Makalee, etc.)  Thank you for teaching me by example how anyone can do anything if they just try instead of letting self-doubt and cynics rule their decision making.  You also have taught me to pursue what you are passionate about and trust that things will work out.  I love you always.  No matter what.

Lauren (Doone, Corn Dog, Doonie)  My beach buddy and wonderful sister.  Thank you for your contagious laugh and for the way that you care for people.  I love how much you take people under your wing and make them better.  Just a word of advice from someone who's pretty similar to you (aka ME): Make sure that YOUR needs are taken care of too, OK?  I love you Doone Doone.

To my BYU-Idaho friends:

I am amazed at how many wonderful friends have come into my life as a result of me coming to BYU-Idaho.  This is probably the biggest reason why it's so hard for me to leave this place.  A huge piece of my heart belongs with all of you.

Arica (ATP!): You were there since the beginning as my FHE sister.  You saved me from the torturous dorms and took me under your wing.  You have been one of the most devoted and loyal friends I've ever had, and we both know that we're going to end up in the same nursing home when we're old.  Thank you for staying in touch despite the distance that separates us, and I know we'll see each other soon. It's bound to happen.  :)

Jon: My stinker, hot dog, and best bud all put into one person!  You have been more than just a friend to me.  You've been my support, shoulder to cry on, listening ear, and partner in crime.  I can't imagine what the last two years would have been like without you around.  From the trips to Seattle and California to the many hours spent in the computer lab, there are too many memories to not forget.  You have been there for me during very hard times this year, and I can't thank you enough.  And thank you for your patience in many circumstances... Including the 4 hours you spent with me in Idaho Falls looking for my graduation outfit and coming home with nothing.  You are going to do amazing things when you graduate in December, and I can't wait to hear about where life will lead you next.

Kristin: NOODLE!  Who am I going to be completely weird and crazy around now?  We've become so comfortable with each other (... maybe TOO comfortable) and I'm going to miss that.  I am SO grateful Arica introduced us to each other and that we could spend 4 semesters as room-roommates.  Thank you for the cry-out sessions in our room, the random dance parties, burping contests, and other things I won't mention to save our reputations.  I love your laugh and southern accent.  And your fried okra.  And YOU.

Local Boys: 

I am SO glad that we were all in the same ward for a little while so that we could know each other!  You boys have been so fun to hang out with.

Kirk: Yes, you and Reuben have a bromance.  :) But alas, it's been so fun to be your friend.  I'll never forget the moose adventure when we almost DIED or the time you told us all your stories about Ghana.  I'm really going to miss the conversations we had in the computer lab as well as the wand fights and wrestling matches.  Your future kids are going to LOVE how much fun you are.  


Reuben: It's been so fun to hang out with you this past spring semester!  Thanks for all the bruises and steam rolling experiences.  Best of luck to you when you graduate in December.


Trevor: I know that if I ever want a crazy adventure, all I have to do is hop into your suburban and have you take a group of friends to the ice caves.  Have a GREAT time in the Horticulture program, and keep an eye on Kirk if he chooses to join our side.  


Spencer: There have been SO many times that my roommates and I will get to talking about how awesome you are.  Thank you for being so sweet and fun to be around.  You will always be remembered when I watch the first few minutes of Lion King.  Haaaaaasawaayeeeeaaaah!

To all my current and past roommates: THANK YOU for all the fun memories and lessons learned.

My current roommates:

Kandice (Kandy): You taught me to be constantly optimistic and grateful.  I'm attributing any crazy out-of-the-country adventures to your influence.

Raeanne (Rae Rae): You will soon be a married woman!  Thank you for being so loyal to the gospel of Jesus Christ through your example and how high you and Austin have kept your standards.  You're going to be a GREAT married couple.

Brittany (Britt): I'm holding three fingers up with a serious look on my face for you.  :)  Thank you for being wild and crazy with me despite the fact that we might have scared a few people off.  You taught me to be brave enough to do what you want to and not what others think you should be doing.  I'll be your first customer when you get done with hair school.

Chantel (Channy): You are going to have SUCH a great time at Disney World (not that I'm biased or anything).  Thank you for all the pizza and your positive attitude.  Can't wait to see you in Florida!

To my Horticulture friends (Horties!):

Production Gang (SULAEF!): I will never forget that winter semester that we all took the same classes and went to California for two weeks.  And I'm pretty sure Brother Toll won't either.  We left some pretty good damage on his sanity.  Thank you Jace, Micah, America, Bre, Jon, Tate, Shawn, Terri, Spencer, and Ashley.

Toffer: Thank you for all the lessons learned and for taking a chance on me.  Being with you was an incredible learning experience, and I am so grateful for your support and patience.  I wish you the absolute best in this world and know that you are going to go amazing places.  Keep moving forward, and I know Heavenly Father will bless you in your efforts to do what's right.

Lanae, Mitzi, and Vallie: It's been so wonderful to get to know you three and stay in contact despite the different graduation times, work, and school schedules.  It's going to be so fun to find out where we all ended up in five years!

Thanks to all my professors for not only being great teachers, but wonderful mentors and friends.  It's not often that you find a program like BYU-Idaho's Horticulture program that has teachers who are so caring and invested in the students.

To Brother Toll for encouraging me to jump into the industry sooner than I expected and for teaching me every possible thing I needed to know about growing plants.  Thank you for helping me find my passion.

To my Orlando friends:

The year I spent in Orlando part way through my schooling was exactly what I needed at that time.  I am SO glad that I still can come back to Orlando and visit many of the people who were part of my year experience there.

Intern friends: Thank you for all the quality control boat rides, crop pulls, "What's your 80" calls, and funny tour stories.

Les: Thank you for staying in touch for the past two years!  I am so glad I got to see you in Denver when I was at DBG, and I love visiting you whenever I'm in Orlando.  We're due for a dinner at Sweet Tomatoes.  You were such a great manager and friend to me, and I'm blaming all my OCD tendencies on you.  :)

Shelly (Hunny Bunny): Thank you for being my loyal Orlando best friend.  Here's to all the late-night chats, shopping sprees, and sleepovers.  I can't wait to see you when I'm back in town. By the way, I chose the picture below because I felt it best represented our relationship.  Haha!

Hannah: EVERY time I hear "baby are you down," I think of you!  Thank you for being such a great example of overcoming trials and struggles.  Your story is incredible, and who you are today amazes me.

I don't think I'll ever forget this night.  :)

Monica (DPFL!): It was SO fun living with you for 6 months, even if we were both so busy.  I laugh every time I think about the funny conversations we had and how contagious your laugh is.  I am so proud of you for all the accomplishments you made at work and in your life.  I always love to tell people that I had a roommate who was a hot-shot chef.

Doug: I'm never going to forget our how-did-you-meet story.  That just does not happen every day.  It's been so great having fun with you in Orlando and continuing our Disney experience on campus as Campus Reps together.  I'll miss your hugs and the inside-joke smirk we always got when people asked how we knew each other.

To my Disney Campus Rep Teammates over the past few seasons: Thank you!  It's been such a fun a great learning experience, and just to be able to be among fellow Disney addicts was always amazing.