That Graduation Thing

So, in June this kind-of-a-big-deal thing happened where Marc graduated from his residency program. You know, it was the culmination of three very very long years of really really hard work. (Mrs. R-R, if you are reading this I know you are cringing at the use of "very" and "really". What I mean to say is "three extraordinarily long years of excruciatingly hard work.") We went to the graduation ceremony, I gathered and edited pictures from the event and somehow they have just been sitting in my "to blog" folder since then.
Let us now pretend that it is mid-June and I am announcing to you, the way any decent wife who is proud of her husband should, "Guess what?!? Marc graduated yesterday! Isn't that wonderful? He is just amazing. I even have pictures!"
And here they are:
Before the official ceremony started there was a cocktail hour. During cocktail hour all the attendees had access to hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a photo booth! The photo booth was free and well-loved, especially after some people took advantage of the drinks.

 

Some residents suggested that graduates could post one of these flattering photos on their new office door with a caption reading: "Hi, my name is____, and I'll be your child's doctor today."
I'm not sure how parents would feel about that. Some, I guess, might think the elaborate costumes were there to help their child feel at ease. I imagine it would be much more disconcerting to see the same type of photo and caption at say, the urologist.

Speaking of graduates, here is the whole serious bunch:

Can I just say that we love these people? They have become dear friends, impromptu babysitters, and a fabulous support system. We are extremely blessed that most of them will be sticking around for our final year in Cleveland because they will be doing fellowships or are going into practice in the area. We did lose a few, however and we already miss them. (That means you, Karine and Stephen.)

The dinner and ceremony itself were lovely and we were very happy that Marc's parents could attend with us. In addition to honoring the graduating seniors, the residency program also presents departmental awards and other honors. Marc was pleased to receive an award from the medical students who nominated him as a great teacher during their pediatric rotations. He received one other award which he felt totally undeserving of, so that was a little bit hard for him to walk up and accept. However, he felt completely deserving of his certificate of completion. That is one happy man on that stage.

After the ceremony, we watched a lovely video tribute about the seniors (It was some roast, some toast. Marc's penchant for breaking things was mentioned. For more details, you'll have to ask him.) and then we got to mix and mingle with our friends.
Here is Marc with his proud parents:

Marc and I are with Carla (Marc's co-chief resident this year) and her husband Kevin. I have to say a big thank you to Marc's mom for altering that lovely silver dress so that I could actually wear it. Marc bought it for me online, and it was not made for such a short-waisted person. She truly is a miracle worker.

Finally here is Marc in a picture with the Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Chiefs past, present and future:

 Marc has already learned a lot in his first months as chief and we feel blessed to have this one last year in the Cleveland area. We are enjoying his more lenient schedule and his ability to moonlight as we save up for a house in North Dakota. I truly am proud of my hard-working spouse. I love you, baby. You are a great doctor, a wonderful father and the most amazing husband. Please accept my very belated congratulations.