An All ACC Mom

North Carolina houses an abundance of very good colleges and universities.  I was reading US News' 2012 college ranking of US University's.  Harland nor I attended a college.  However, like most parents we had dreamed our children would have the opportunity to go to college.  While reviewing the article, I was reflecting that our children had the good fortune of attending and graduating from three of the best colleges in the U.S.

We would have been happy if they had chosen to attend any of North Carolina's other prominate colleges, NC State University (ranking 101), East Carolina University (ranking 194), Appalachian (ranking 10 in the catagory of Regional Universities).  Many of the students from our area attend our local Wilkes Community College, a two year college.  Then go on to complete their college career at a four year school, which is a great option.  JoCasta graduated from The University of North Carolina (2012 ranking 29).  Audrey graduated from Wake Forest University (2012 ranking 25).  Amber graduated from Duke University (2012 ranking 10).  All great schools from the Atlantic Coast Conference (2011-2012 sports ranking 5 per ESPN and USA today).

I remember when we sent our oldest daughter off to college.  Even though we still had two younger at home, there was an emptiness in our home.  We were excited and nervous for her.  It's difficult to explain I suppose, but there were a lot of situations that came up where she needed advise.  Since neither Harland or I had gone to college, she basically had to forge ahead into uncharted territory alone.  We helped where we could.  I will get in trouble for saying this I'm sure, but I think of the three graduations we attended Carolina's was the most beautiful. As the graduates walked out of all the entrances on the opposite side of the stadium and Carolina blue gowns flowed down the steps and out onto the field.  JoCasta's was our first graduate, maybe that's why it seemed to be so breathtaking for me.  It was also funny as we could see the messages on their caps and watched some dancing in the endzone while the crowd bounced a beach ball across the stadium.  A great day!

When it came time to send Audrey and Amber off to school we had a little experience.  At least we didn't feel like were walking from the sunlight into the darkness.  However there were still many challenges.  The first of which began on move in day.  As it turned out both had to move into their dorms on the first day.  Talk about being torn by responsibility.  My mom and dad stepped in and were able to help Audrey move in at
Wake, while Harland, JoCasta and myself helped Amber at Duke.  I later went back and helped Audrey get settled in.  Harland and I cried off and on for weeks after our babies went off to school.  Then each time they came home to visit and left again we cried some more!  But, for those who are feeling the pain of the empty nest, I does will get better!

I think everyone was surprised that Audrey and Amber didn't go to the same school.  They had always been together and done everything together.  I think looking back that Amber was more concerned about being independent from Audrey.  But, as it turned out, I think she may have had the hardest time with the separation. I could be wrong, Audrey holds things close to her heart, so could be her feelings just weren't as transparent. Although looking back, there were some events that revealed she was struggling too.  Tough as it was, I think it was good they were living their own experiences.

Of course all the graduations were exciting.  The baccalaureate ceremony in the Duke Chapel was very moving and I cried.  But once again we were torn because we had to miss a function for Audrey at Wake in order to go.  But at least the graduation days were not the same.  We were so thankful we did not have to split up for that.  The class of 2006 at Duke graduated in the wake of the Duke Lacross scandal.  But, it did not affect our joy in seeing Amber's accomplishment. There was a lot of whooping and throwing of caps.  Then Amber walked us all over campus to attend departmental ceremonies and get her diploma.  It was a great day!

On the morning of Audrey's graduation, Amber and JoCasta glued and pinned yellow roses and I think I remember a bird or a bee or something on her cap.  It was so pretty, it was so Audrey!  But once she was in line I overheard someone stating that messages on their caps would not be allowed.  I was terrified they would not let her walk across the stage. I watched as she advanced through the line (so cute and funny) without incident and once on stage the officiant whispered he liked her cap!  It was exciting watching her walk across that stage and hear her name announced.  We were so proud!  The Wake campus is so beautiful,.  We mingled and took pictures while we waited on Audrey.  Another great day!

I have been asked numerous time which team I pull for.  Before my children went to college I was always a Carolina fan.  But now I always pull for all the teams where my girls went to school, Carolina, Duke and Wake.  Many have said I am not a true Carolina fan, because if I were I would never pull for Duke, ever.  But, not so my friends, no so!  That's just your opinion!  

The only problem is when they play each other.  Wednesday night was basketball rivalry night.  The North Carolina and Duke game, one of the most notorious rivalries in all of sports.   It was an awesome game!  Which team was I pulling for?  I was pulling for both teams to do their best and may the best team on Wednesday night win.  It could have gone either way, but the outcome was a win for Duke.  Was I happy Carolina lost?  No.   They played a good game and almost pulled it off.  But I was happy for Duke.  And that's just the way it is!  The only problem I have right now, is Wake.  I hate it that they aren't even in the mix.  It's a lot more fun when all three teams and my family are mixing it up.  Just keep it fun kids, it's just for fun and it's just a game after all!  I am an all ACC mom!