Ben's Graduation Party

I'm excited to announce that Ben has graduated Seminary and passed his ordination exams!  

In a few short weeks, Ben will officially be Reverend Ben Shear!

He's worked hard for 7 years...taking classes and working a full time job, all while raising a family.

It's a huge accomplishment and definitely worth a big celebration.

Since he's graduating in the middle of the year and school is in Florida, we needed something to really help it sink in that school is over.  And since we always joked that at the end of this journey we were going to party, a surprise graduation party was born.

Walking in the door..."SURPRISE!"

Really, the whole event makes me choke up.

First, just the thought of all the sacrifices Ben has made over the years;

 writing papers late at night after helping me put our kids to bed,

squeezing school time into the end of his work day so he could still be home for dinner,

and long drives, instead of flying, down to Florida just to save our family some money.

Second, the many, many sacrifices our friends and family made to help us celebrate;

long flights and drives,

skipping work and other party invites,

months of planning a graduation gift,

and staying up until the wee hours of the morning prepping food.

Ben telling me, "I knew you were up to something!"

I knew Ben wouldn't let me throw a party and I knew just going out to dinner wasn't going to cut it, so after months of secret keeping, sneaking around and lots of "righteous indiscretion" (aka lying!) we were able to pull off one fabulous party.

Some friends from church opened up their beautiful home, even giving me a key to come over at any time to hide items.  They hosted people all afternoon, while friends and family set up the party.  I had convinced Ben that Rick and Rachel were taking Alison Christmas shopping and the Neel's were going to watch the boys while we went out to dinner.  I was surprised he didn't ask why we were taking the boys over to their house, but he just said, "They're SO nice!".  Yes.  yes, they are.

Wall of pictures of Ben

The food spread

Alison with Mimi and Poppy

Nana and Granddaddy waiting for us to arrive

The kids warming up to the whole party idea

The kids were SO confused.  I hadn't told them a thing, so they were just as surprised.  It took them awhile to process all the family that was in one place.  Never before has Nana, Granddaddy, Mimi, Poppy, Grandma, Aunt Chey, Aunt Madiysn and Cousin Adelyn all been in one place.  Poor Eliot gave up and just started calling everyone Grandma.

Sweet Aunt Madisyn...just love this girl!

George congratulating Ben on passing his exams earlier that morning and praying over him

Elizabeth giving Ben his great-grandfathers bible

So, Ben Shear, I know you won't remember the decorations or food or maybe even the people that were there, but I pray that you will always remember how greatly loved you are.  

I am so abundantly proud of you and am so thankful for you.