Graduation

Did I mention that J graduated? I think I did. It was brief. A rather less-than-honorable mention, I would say. I've thought about what there is to tell about this accomplishment. But since it's hard to know which sleepless night to start with, instead I will post a version of the speech I very uncomfortably and awkwardly gave at his party. It's more fun this way, because no one can see me getting all smudgy around the eyeliner.

I always like to tell J that he is "the best". Aww! He hates this. J has an over-active case of modesty. I had to make his celebration a surprise party, because I knew that J would never have willingly let me do it; he hates to be the center of attention, hates to make a big deal over anything. While he was in school, I would randomly find medals of award in his pockets while doing laundry, or letters in the recycling pile from teachers oozing praise for him. I found out from his friend's wife that he was awarded best med student in his specialty, because he just doesn't mention those things.
But the truth is that what J has accomplished actually is a big deal. One of the doctors J worked for last spring gave him a dinner at the end of his rotation, at which he said he had come to realize over the course of that time that J was, I quote, "not only a genius, but a truly good guy". Which is exactly true.
Graduating medical school, especially in the military, is a big accomplishment. But for J, it is extra impressive to me because he not only got it done with flying colors, but he did it all without it ever even being his top priority. Because we were. His family has always been first. No matter how hard he worked and how much he had left to do on how little sleep, J always made time to play fetch with the dogs, to read and play with and rock and feed his daughter, and to be there for me. To fix the washing machine and make breakfast on Sundays.
J deserves celebrating because he is the best. Not only the best medical student- about to be the best doctor- and the best Lt. there is, but by far the best husband, the best dad, the best person there can be. So please. Lets all embarrass him ruthlessly by telling him how proud we are. I will go first! J: No, seriously. You are the best.