Hello, friends!
I'm officially a graduate! The ceremony is over, the tassels have been turned, and my heart is still buzzing with excitement (and maybe a little leftover adrenaline from a slight mishap earlier, but we'll get to that). I couldn't wait to sit down and tell you all about the day—it was magical, emotional, and perfectly imperfect in the best way.
Let's start with the almost disaster. Everything was running smoothly (a little too smoothly, if you ask me) until about ten minutes before the ceremony started. That's when Flit realized she'd lost her cap. Yep, the cap we all needed to wear to the stage to graduate. Cue a flurry of frantic wing-flapping and a whole lot of "I swear I had it a second ago!" Turns out, Pip had accidentally mistaken it for a snack bag and stashed it in his acorn pouch. (Seriously, why does he carry that thing everywhere?)
Thankfully, crisis averted—Flit got her cap back just in time, though it smelled faintly of acorns, and we all had a good laugh about it afterward. Classic Pip.
Now, onto the ceremony itself. It was held in the Moonlit Garden, which was decked out in glowing lanterns and enchanted flowers that sparkled with every color imaginable. The Tree of Life and Death stood tall in the background, a reminder of all the history and magic that shaped us. When they called my name, my wings nearly gave out from nerves, but as soon as I stepped onto the stage and saw my family and friends cheering for me, I felt like I could soar.
Professor Willowbranch gave the most beautiful speech about growth and transformation. She even got a little teary-eyed, which made half of us teary-eyed, too (I'm not crying, you're crying). She reminded us that we're not just closing a chapter—we're stepping into a new one, and it's okay not to have all the answers yet. It's all about the journey.
After the ceremony, there was a big celebration in the village square. My mom outdid herself with the dinner she planned—tables overflowing with magical dishes, from moonlit berry tarts to enchanted lemonade that sparkled like stardust. Even Pip was impressed, and that's saying something. Flit, of course, convinced everyone to join in a spontaneous dance party (her idea of "sticking to the plan" lasted about five minutes).
The best part of the night, though, was when my dad surprised me with a handmade charm bracelet. Each charm represents a part of my journey so far: a tiny book for all the lessons I've learned, a silver wing for the strength I've found, and a little star to remind me to always dream big. It's a gift I'll treasure forever.
Looking back, the day wasn't perfect—but that's what made it so special. The mishaps, the laughter, the moments of pure magic—it all came together to create a memory I'll hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.
So, what's next? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure yet. But if today taught me anything, it's that I don't have to figure it all out right now. The future is wide open, full of possibility, and I'm ready to spread my wings and see where it takes me.
Until next time,
Dawn 🎓✨