College of the Holy Cross Graduation ~ The Last Post, Her Party

On the Sunday, just a few days after her college graduation, we had a lovely little party for Anna. 

It was elegant. 

It was formal. 

It was delicious.

It was beautiful and everything we needed to close this chapter for Anna, and for us as a family. {although I'll always miss Holy Cross} 

Here are a few pictures of this sweet event. 

Scott found this place and it was perfection! 

I snapped a few pictures outside and really a lot throughout the morning but honestly, I wish I got even more of the entry/gathering area. It was just so beautiful. 

We had a private room -- here are a few pictures I have of the set up. All purple for Holy Cross of course! 

Just look at that table... isn't it so beautiful?! 

A special side table with photos, her diploma scroll, cord, and programs from the graduation. 

I had some photos from a photo shoot I did enlarged and mounted. They looked lovely throughout the room. 

Just look at our graduate! She's so happy, so darling, so pretty, the whole world in front of her! 

The flowers turned out beautiful... all purples! 

We had Anna open this gift from us, and we are thrilled that she loved it. It looked so pretty on her that day. 

Images from all around her campus -- what a treasure! 

A moment to take it all in before our guests arrived. 

I am so grateful for all of the people who came and filled up around that table with love and congratulations for our little girl! 

Right before dinner, Scott welcomed everyone, I gave the toast, and Anna announced her next plans (that I'll post here really soon!) 

Anna, 

From the moment you came into our lives you have captured our hearts with your inquisitive nature. Your childhood was marked by imagination and wonder, shaped by countless books, creative play, and the vivid world you built alongside your sister. 

At the age of five you embraced the viola with grade sharing the beauty of music with us for seventeen years. 

You became a world traveler, returning to your birth country not just as a visitor but as a leader among your peers, immersing yourself in the culture, making beautiful friendships, and becoming fluency in the language. 

We are confident that the gifts you possess - your creativity, resilience, and determination will continue to grow, we trust God will use these gifts for His greater purpose especially as you bring hope to the lives of children in need. 

It is with deep pride and joy that we celebrate you today. Congratulations on all you've accomplished and all that is to come. Cheers. 

College of the Holy Cross Graduation ~ Graduation Day

Anna's graduation was on Friday morning, May 23. And here I am on Tuesday evening. (well, I started this on Tuesday evening... no telling when I'll hit publish) 

I'm prepping for the school week as a fourth grade teacher as usual. There are only 3 weeks left of school but I'm actually glad for them as they are a distraction from all that is going on. We've had so so much! 

And with all of those amazing events comes an amazing amount of emotion. While we are over the moon thrilled that our Anna has graduated from such a prestigious college, we are oh so sad because our years as a Holy Cross family are over. Scott reminds me that we are 'always' a Holy Cross family. He's right and I will hold on to that college and that we are a part of it forever.

There are so many wonderful things I could say about Holy Cross but in this post I just want to focus on Anna's college graduation. It was a truly wonderful two days of events that spoiled us and our daughter. We are so blessed to have been a part of it. 

Photos 

Although I had my own photos shoot (post back here), the college had a photographer and we just couldn't skip that! 

I thought these were adorable and fun! 

Baccalaureate Mass 

(that post is back here)  It was beautiful and special and the homily is one I hope we can hold in our hearts forever. The priest spoke of learning about and receiving faith, hope, and love on Mt. Saint James (Holy Cross) and how to bring that out to the world. 

Here is the livestream: 

Dinner

Scott planned and made reservations for dinner at a 'new to us' place. 

After the Mass but the evening before the Graduation it felt glorious to sit at this table with my precious family and just to soak in the moments of these days ~ our baby graduating from college! 

Last Sunset on the Hill 

(that post back here) Although inside and outside as planned, it was elegant, beautiful, lovely. 

Graduation Night and then Morning

We stayed at a Marriot right new the convention hall so that we could be there quickly. After the Last Sunset on the Hill, we checked into our hotel, I steam ironed all of our clothes, Scott and I checked out and planned out where we would eat breakfast while the girls got ready for bed. Off to sleep and then all of a sudden it was graduation morning. Scott and I got up bright and early at 6 am! Showers and then the hotel breakfast. Scott dropped Abigail and I off to get our seats (over 2 hours before they started) and he dropped Anna off at her door. The few hours went by in minutes it seemed; we were all just so excited! 

Watching her march in was the best feeling in the world!

The presidents address: 

And after more speeches it was time to accept her diploma!

Right at this moment they said her name - I was trying not to cry, my hands were shaking, it was just wonderful! 

We were so close to the stage and when Anna walked down she saw us and smiled big! 

When the ceremony was over, and she was just about to march out, she spotted us and I was able to capture her joy! 

And then it was a million pictures after. They had a wonderful lunch for all of the families... I was too excited to eat! 

It was simply a joyous day -- one that I will hold in my heart forever! 

Elementary School Graduation

Middle School Graduation

High School Graduation 

One last thing: 

This was the information the college sent for a printing in the newspaper: 

Anna Baker Graduates From College of the Holy Cross

May 23

Anna Baker of West Hartford received a bachelor of arts degree Cum Laudefrom College of the Holy Cross.

Baker is among 733 bachelor of arts degree recipients Holy Cross celebrated at its 179th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 23 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Dr. Linda LeMura, president of Le Moyne College and the first female layperson to be named president of a Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States delivered this year's address to the Class of 2025 and received an honorary degree.

In her remarks, LeMura emphasized that the goal of a Jesuit-and specifically a Holy Cross-education is to unite two identities: the dreamer and the doer, following the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

"Graduates, my wish for you-today, and every day-is that you will hold tight to your skills and to your dreams," said LeMura. "Treasure them both. Your dreams will inspire your work, and your work will inspire your dreams. Never let go of the whimsical, poetical, visionary dreamer that lives in each and every one of you."

In addition to LeMura, Holy Cross also awarded an honorary degree to Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ, a longtime leader of the Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart.

Live Stream of Commencement