Rochester, NY
11:32 AM
Saturday was a big day for my family. Little Caytie graduated with her MBA. Mighty impressive. She did it with a job and with honors. As much as I want to be on the road doing what I do, it felt great to be able to go and see her walk across the stage. She was nervous, but very proud of her accomplishment. I could tell the pride she had as she walked across. She knew she gave it 100% and that all of her work and effort had culminated to that degree. I think she also knew what was waiting, the party.
After walking around the campus for a while, we headed home and got ready for the stream of people that would be coming over. Bryan and I headed to Wegs to get the keg, some milk for the girls, and a veggie tray. We made it home, scarfed down a little lunch and began cleaning and setting up. The party started at 3. It was pretty frantic as everyone pitched in.
I was the bartender and set up shop out on the patio. It was a sunny day, with a forecast of clouds as the night came on. I had my ice, my pitcher, my mixers, and my bottles. I’ve never been a tender before and it suited me pretty good. I was able to talk to everyone and meet her co-workers. Bryan’s mom and brother got here from New Jersey at about 1:30. I thought it was a cool move of them to drive the 5 hours to get here for the party, then crash on the floor, and then drive back on Sunday. It was even more impressive that his brother and girlfriend had had their senior prom the night before. But there they were. I know that if I had my senior prom, I would not be getting out of bed until 3.
The party went off without a hitch. The baby girls were the stars of the show. I guess Caytie was the star, but they garnered a lot of attention. It was too cool for the horseshoes and bocce we had set up, but people still mingled about the deck. As parties go, most people talked to the people they knew, but I still met a lot of people, including Caytie’s boss, a friend of hers, and the ad guy from Caytie’s office.
The food got here at about 5. She did it up right by having it catered. There was chicken, pulled pork, salt potatoes, pasta, baked beans, tossed salad, and some good bread. We chowed. And we still are chowing with all of the leftovers.
The rain came at about 7. The bar still had people running out to it, but know I wasn’t bartending in the rain. Eventually we reverted back to the ways of high school graduations. The older people ended up in the garage with the keg and the drinks playing cards. The radio stayed on and we kept it going until about 11:30. Some had more to drink than others, I was in control, and the night was called. It was still raining.
That was that. I think Caytie had a great time. It was fun to see her get back into relax mode. She had been so focused on her school work that she was always thinking about it. I’m not sure what she’ll be able to think about now without the books. I guess the focus will turn to planning a wedding.
Time to get ready and play with the girls. I just cooked a mean breakfast of eggs, toast, and leftover salt potatoes. Bryan’s family left not too long ago. Time for a shower and the final day of play time.