Busy Season and Graduation

We arrived home from the cruise on Sunday night around 8 pm. The next morning I began an internship with Tanner LLC, a public accounting firm in Salt Lake, and Chase continued full time employment with Utah Broadband. And we both began our last semesters of school! Chase had a full schedule and I had one class. He was working 40 hours per week and I was too, until busy season started. In accounting, the months of February through April and August through October are "busy." These are the months leading up to tax filing deadlines. Thus, in February I worked 55-60 hours per week, in March I worked 60-65 hours per week, and until April 15 I worked 70 hours per week. Let's be honest, there are many accountants (and other professions) that work more hours than that. But it was hard. Being at work all day everyday wasn't the hard part. The hard part was getting home, getting straight in bed, then waking up and going straight back to work. Chase and I had time to chat a little before bed and in the mornings, and I called him everyday while I ate dinner, but it was tough. I don't know how some people spend half of every year doing that. I enjoyed my experience and I learned a lot. The people at Tanner are great, and I made some good friends. But after the April deadline, I took three days off and went to St. George with my family for Easter. I got to mountain bike with Zach for the first time ever and it was a blast! I am already addicted and I need a mountain bike! Maybe next year. Anyway, I came home, went to work on Monday and decided it wasn't something I wanted to do long term. I went to graduation that Friday without a job, which was hard for me to swallow. I am a bit embarrassed because I have planned on this for so long. But I am really excited about a job prospect coming up. We'll see how that turns out. 

Graduation! What a fun day. My dad wasn't able to come to the ceremony so he invited Chase and I to breakfast that morning before he had to leave town. Yummy Moore's! When Chase and I pulled into the parking lot at the Dee, we got out to put our caps and gowns on and just laughed at each other! We, and everyone, looked so goofy in the traditional get-up. We then walked inside, lined up, and waited with our respective colleges. It's a very long process, and rather boring, but it feels good to put a cap on our degrees. Our friend Abe spoke at commencement and did a great job, the symphony was beautiful (really), and we were able to spot each other from across the Dee. We moved out tassels, and that was that. We had to move quickly to the Browning Center for my college's ceremony. I lined up, walked in, and listened to some more speakers. And then, I was hooded by my two favorite professors. I was actually really excited about this part. It's just cool to be recognized for the degree earned. It was quick, and I really enjoyed it. After, we took pictures outside with our supporters. Parents, Lauren, Avery, and some of our grandparents were able to be there. Then, it was time for Chase's college ceremony. He graduated from the college of Arts and Humanities, and his ceremony was a party! A far cry from the traditional ceremony of the college of business and economics. They played music and performed and it was a lot of fun. Chase was darling walking across the stage as he winked and gave a thumbs up. He gave his favorite professor a bear hug, and just like that, he was done too. After more pictures outside, we went to my mom's house where she hosted lunch for those that came to be with us. Thank you for everything, parents, for never missing a chance to cheer us on. Thanks to Lauren and Sean, perfect examples of hard work, particularly in school. Thanks to grandparents for being supportive. And thanks to Zach and and Ave for working so hard, having a few years to go, and being happy for us. It was a good day. That evening, Sean got back into town and wanted to celebrate with us, so we spent time with the Fowlers, and the following night they took us to dinner to congratulate us. It's really cool to have your sister and brother in law be your best friends. I recommend it. 

And now, we are done. It's the first summer in a few years that we aren't taking classes. Chase is still enjoying his job and I am looking for a new one. It's weird not constantly having a to do list; study, read, homework, exam, repeat. Real life, or post college life, is sort of fun! Chase goes to work, I take care of everything else, and following on this job prospect (cross you fingers!) and we still have time to do fun things together. I am really excited to enjoy the status quo for a while. No moving, no new cars, no school (no tuition!), but yes, I will start a new job soon. It's a great time to be 23, graduated, married, and absolutely loving life. I couldn't be more grateful for where I am and where we are. When Chase and I got married, he had one semester of school done and I had two years done. And now, between the two of us we have three degrees, no student loans, a healthy savings account, and the world is our oyster. Toot, toot!