What a day. It was a long day, since we had little sleep, but one to be remembered forever. As a parent, you always want more for your kids than you had. We, (Tom, Robi and I) had a great childhood and all the opportunities one could ask for, including college, but frankly didn’t take full advantage, for various reasons, of getting a degree. And that’s ok, college isn’t for everyone, and many people do fine without it. It is special though to see your child put in the hard work and dedication and finish the job. We’re super happy and proud of Jagger, as everyone, including him, should be.
We left around 7:30 in the morning and decided to walk to Folsom Field which is where they play the football games. We made it there in 15 minutes or so, which is much faster than if we drove or even took an Uber. We ended up sitting pretty close, row 8, to where we thought the kids would be. They ended up a bit further up towards the stage, but we were on the right side and could see them. The ceremony lasted about 3 and a half hours, and the sun soon came out and we all ended up with a little color.
We all met up afterwards, Jag, Ava, her parents and grandparents, and brother, and walked over to her apartment for some snacks and drinks. Ava’s mom is super nice and so is her brother. Her stepdad, Andre, is too. The kids made a poster of all the people no longer with, so they too could be there and be remembered. The poster included Mom and Dad, Dixie and Don, Bob, Tommy’s wife Alison, and Ava’s grandparents. Not sure who the girl in the upper right corner is. You’ll see the poster below in picture number 3. They also had a little framed picture of Ava’s dad holding her. It was very thoughtful and a nice touch.
Jag, Lori and I headed out and went back to our hotel for a bit to change and then went to lunch. After lunch we headed to Target to buy a helium tank so Lori could blow up her balloons for the dinner later in the day. We rented out Pizza Albergo which is owned by my longtime friend who also owns Frasca, the Michelin Star restaurant that’s been in Boulder for 20 years now. I ordered up a bottle of Miani, a famous wine we used to import that they had to go next door to get from Frasca. Bobby, my friend and the owner, must have seem them getting it and came over to say hi. He walked in and said, “I heard someone over here was ordering Miani and I knew it had to be Doug”, ha. It was super nice of him to come over as next door at Frasca he was sold out at $50,000 a reservation for the night!
Dinner was great and we all had fun telling stories. We made it home around 10:30. I think the kids then went out for a bit. Tonight, Ty is joining us for an early dinner at 4 and then going to the Business School graduation at 7:30 with all of us. Afterwards Lori and I will head up the hill and Ty will stay with Ava and Jag and go out on the town.
The 5 Star resort we booked the kids in Bali, which is a Marriott, emailed me, and with our Platinum status, upgraded the kids to a suite on the lagoon! What fun for them. They both worked so hard and deserve the break.
Time to get moving. We’re working out in the hotel gym and then going for a walk. We’ll do something with Jagger today and then check out of the hotel around 2 to go to dinner and the next graduation. Have a great day, more to come as the kids enter the next chapter of their lives. God Bless.
Here’s some pics to enjoy. Robi asked what all the tassels mean and I asked Jag, and they’re all for different achievements in school. Too many to explain, ha. Overachiever!
