Dr. Daddy

Yesterday was an amazing day!

We started off with the usual lazy chaos of most mornings.  Daddy had gotten in from a business trip very late and I knew he needed sleep so I played with the girls, keeping them at bay as long as I could.  We eventually meandered through breakfast, making cookies (thursday is cookie day), getting ready for the day and playtime.  The girls had to take early naps and finally, we dropped all three girls off at a friend's house and drove to campus for Husband's dissertation defense.

He was incredible.  He was confident and well-spoken, not at all seeming flustered or anxious.  He started the presentation and relaxed into it quickly.  I love watching him present, hearing these complicated phrases and educated vocabulary that flow so easily.  He's exceptionally good at identifying a concept and then breaking it down for better understanding, using examples and applications.  He uses his hands naturally and comfortably to emphasis his point and his whole demeanor is confident and engaging.  He introduced his dissertation research and walked us through his findings for forty five minutes before a short question/answer series.  The batch of cookies we brought (he joked my assignment was the bribery) disappeared quickly and the surprisingly large audience was excused while the committee members grilled him further.  Then he was excused from the room while the committee deliberated (this is usually when they discuss recommended changes or further work that may need to be completed).  But the door opened after only a few minutes and his committee adviser came out with a generous smile and handshake, addressing him as "Dr."  They congratulated him with no recommended changes or work to be done, just high compliments and obvious confidence in him as a professional.  What a great moment!  (his adviser offered me a congratulatory handshake too, telling him that I had earned my "PhT" which stands for "put him through!")

We took our time saying thanks and goodbye to committee members and gathering our things.  Then we went out for a quick unofficial celebration dinner (more celebrating to come after the graduation ceremony) at a local cafe bakery.  We laughed and teased, always addressing him as "Dr." as we meandered in, ordered food and took our seats.  Then his dad showed up with a huge assortments of their best desserts ("life is short--dessert first").  Our meal was great, amidst more talking, laughing, teasing, congratulating and coming up with every dr nicknames we could (such as his sister calling him "Dr. Dude Bro", etc).  And finally we hurried back to our little valley, just in time for the finances class.  I think Husband must have still be on a cloud, reeling with that surreal feeling of finally being done after such an incredible accomplishment.

We finally made it home and prompted the girls to say "Dr. Daddy".  Someday they will know what a great achievement it is, but for now, just that little phrase was pretty darn cute.  We spent a late night with family and friends who came to visit and then finally crashed for some well deserved rest.