My boyfriend, the bachelor

Saturday, May 9th Chas graduated from NCSU with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture Science, concentration:  Landscape Design!  It was a gorgeous day in Raleigh, until the massive wind and rain storm that peaked as we were loading SUV's with all of his belongings.  I enjoyed a picnic lunch at Pullen Park with his parents, grandparents, Cameron and his crew (a roommate), and friends under the perfect shade trees.  For this most important day, I scored an NCSU red and white vintage dress and appliqued 2 birds and a birdcage...to symbolize Chas taking flight!  

His departmental ceremony was sweet and personal.  Each faculty advisor introduced his or her students and said shared meaningful and kind words, followed by the student saying a few (or a lot) of thank you's to professors, parents, fiances, and God.  Tears were shed by most in the room that afternoon.  I really enjoyed seeing that at giant NCSU, small departments exist and family-like bonds are formed.  

After pictures were taken and potted plants were distributed as a gift from faculty to students, we stripped "The Ranch" of everything Chas then dined at Mitch's Tavern with Ryan and his parents (another roommate).

The day was a whirlwind of emotion and movement.  He and I paused just before heading to Winston to reflect on the past 4 years.  We met in Raleigh his freshman year, first semester and started dating soon after.  How much has happened in 4 years in each of our lives individually and together.  It is sweet, and bittersweet to leave.  Most of my nearest and dearest are going to be living in other cities by mid-summer.  But just ahead for him is 2 months in South Africa with his very dear friend Weston, followed by beginning his first career as farm manager of Peacehaven Farm (between Burlington and Greensboro).  He'll be managing and living with his friend Ben and also living with Ryan and Weston.