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May 21, 2015

Graduation Columbia Style

31 Comments/ 4142/ 5

Some of you know that our oldest son, Micah, was a recent graduate of Columbia Business School.  To say that we are proud may be the biggest understatement of the century.

Micah has worked hard to get where he is.  When he was in high school he always had a job.  When he was in college and we were going through a difficult time financially he picked up the slack and worked at The Mattress Firm to make money for his tuition and housing and fraternity dues.  He has never been a slacker when it comes to working.   I love that about both of our boys. Neither one of them are afraid to go out and work for something.

That does not only apply to working for material things.  It also applies to working for an education.  Micah always wanted to attend North Carolina Chapel Hill even when he was a pre-teen and he was able to work hard and get into not only UNC but also Keenan Flagler Business School. After working for Johnson and Johnson for 5 years he knew that it was time to go for the masters degree and he worked hard to prepare for taking the GMAT and we were thrilled when he got into his school of choice–Columbia.

This past weekend we rejoiced (and sweated a lot) when he received his MBA from a pretty amazing school.  It was hard to not be misty eyed when I watched him receive his diploma.  I heard a lot of “congrats Mom and Dad” but honestly it was all him.  He was the one who worked hard.  He was the one who did all the loan applications and assumed the responsibility for doing all the endless work that goes into getting to where he is.  It was not easy.

As I heard him talk to his classmates and as I was introduced to so many incredible people that he has met over the past two years I am just in awe of what this school has done for him. He is truly an amazing young man.  His views are broad, his depth of knowledge deep and his acceptance of everyone is something that makes me proud.

The whole ceremony on Sunday was a confirmation of what surrounding yourself with individuals who challenge you and stretch you can do for a person.  I absolutely loved the back page of the program.columbiaI know that we are not the only ones who are proud of their children.  It is such a wonderful job that we have as parents.  We have the amazing privilege of watching them grow into productive citizens who contribute to this great world that we live in.  It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of sleepless hours, chauffeuring to and from events, time spent at endless sporting events and school activities.

The whole experience has just gotten me thinking about what a wonderful world we live in, how short time is, how much a mother can love a child and how emotional I can get when I think about all of those things at once.  Pass the kleenex, please.  I know you get it.

Thanks to all of you for allowing me to share a proud mom moment and my favorite picture that Chris took on Graduation Day of our boy.Micah

 

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31 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Carl D'Agostino
    May 21, 2015 at 06:04 am

    May only the very best of things come his way.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 21, 2015 at 06:13 am

      Thank you so much, Carl. I will pass that along!

      Reply
  2. livinglifejoyfully
    May 21, 2015 at 06:06 am

    Congrats to him and I can feel the pride and love you have just reading your words!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 21, 2015 at 06:12 am

      Thanks, Joy!

      Reply
  3. lclalor
    May 21, 2015 at 06:49 am

    What a wonderful time for all of you. Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 21, 2015 at 07:22 am

      Ah–thanks so much. I appreciate it. It was such a great weekend and we are so doggone proud of him. As you can tell.

      Reply
  4. Jenny Doughty
    May 21, 2015 at 07:34 am

    What a wonderful accomplishment and you should, indeed be proud!

    Reply
  5. Marla aka Crazy Mom
    May 21, 2015 at 07:52 am

    Beth Ann, what a very moving and inspiring post! Congratulations to all!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 21, 2015 at 08:54 am

      Thanks, Marla! I appreciate all the kind words —we are so happy for him. He has such a bright future ahead.

      Reply
  6. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    May 21, 2015 at 08:13 am

    Congratulations to Micah! He sounds like a great young man. But I’m not surprised given his upbringing by fabulous parents. You are rightly proud.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 21, 2015 at 08:54 am

      I am so excited for him. The world is his oyster! Don’t you love this picture of him? It is right when they were gathering to walk to their seats and it was such a look of happiness on his face.

      Reply
  7. Debbie
    May 21, 2015 at 09:19 am

    Congrats to the grad — and his parents! Love the program back! It’s wonderful that he’s launching into new territory, bravely and confidently. Best wishes, Beth Ann!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:43 am

      Thank you so much. He is an amazing young man with a lot of drive and dedication. We are so proud, obviously. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Katy Flint
    May 21, 2015 at 09:25 am

    I love this! Congrats Micah! And congrats Beth & Chris…while he did the work, you did the work setting him up for success all those years ago! And yes, I sniff right with you. I was in tears at R’s last middle school track meet, just thinking how fast the next 4 years are going to go and how NOT ready I am for them! Hugs to you mom!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:42 am

      I know you understand how fast the time goes, Katy. It really does fly by and no matter how hard you try they just keep growing. But then they get to the place where ours are and you just are so happy and excited for them and for what they are experiencing. Life is so good.

      Reply
  9. jenieats
    May 21, 2015 at 09:30 am

    Congrats to Micah, love from his blog sister. You are wonderful parents:)

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:41 am

      Thanks, Jeni. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Darlene
    May 21, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Congratulations to your son and to both of you. You have been excellent role modals for him and deserve to be proud!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:41 am

      Thanks, Darlene. It is funny how both of the boys seek us out for different things. I am the relationship, touchy feely advice person and Chris is the business and professional person they go to. I guess it is good to have our roles define, right?

      Reply
  11. Helen Brown
    May 21, 2015 at 05:55 pm

    I am so proud of Micah as he has done so well. He has worked hard but still had a lot of fun. I cannot believe that little baby is all grown up. Congratulations to you as you have done so well. .

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:40 am

      I know! Seems like only yesterday he was a baby, doesn’t it? All of your grandkids have done so well and it is so neat to see them all achieve wonderful things as adults.

      Reply
  12. Gibber
    May 21, 2015 at 06:17 pm

    That’s awesome! Congrats to your son!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:39 am

      Thank you so much, Gibber. We are so excited for him.

      Reply
  13. My Odd Family
    May 21, 2015 at 09:39 pm

    Congratulations to you all. Well Done. Micah looks so cute–I mean dashing and handsome, In his cap and gown! Love the color.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:39 am

      Thanks, Katybeth. It was all him. But we are very proud of him, of course. He is going places. Mark my words.

      Reply
  14. donnahup
    May 21, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Congratulations “brother”!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:38 am

      🙂

      Reply
  15. Always Pack Extra Underwear - It's Just Life
    May 22, 2015 at 06:00 am

    […] past weekend we were in New York for Micah’s graduation.   We both flew separately there as Chris was seeing customers in New York and I was having fun […]

    Reply
  16. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
    May 22, 2015 at 04:01 pm

    Congratulations Micah! What a proud and momentous time for all 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      May 24, 2015 at 06:32 am

      Thanks, Val. It was such a great weekend. We are the proud parents for sure.

      Reply
  17. Five Random Things - It's Just Life
    September 04, 2015 at 06:00 am

    […] Micah, officially started work this week at McKinsey in New York.  He has had a good summer after graduation from grad school  and I think he is ready to get back into the working world and we are excited for what is ahead […]

    Reply

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