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Things don’t have to work perfectly the first time for you to end up exactly where you’re meant to be.

Easton has tears in his eyes as he watches me, and then blows me a kiss.

I blow him a kiss while blinking away my own tears. I’m not ready to cry, but I know I won’t make it through the ceremony without doing so.

Ginny hugs me from behind. “Your husband is gonna make me cry.”

“Right?”

“He’s so proud of you, Lennon.”

“I know. But I’m proud of me too.”

Once the graduating class is seated, the traditional ceremony proceeds. Ginny and I try to remain patient, but when it’s time for our pinning, we practically leap from our seats and climb the stage when prompted.

We each got to choose who would present our pin, and I didn’t realize how agonizing that decision would be.

But as my mother comes up on stage, I know I chose correctly.

When it’s my turn, I walk toward my mom, and that’s when the tears start to fall.

“You have never made me more grateful to be your mother than in this moment right now, Lennon Banks Buckley,” she says to me as she pins the gold emblem on my white dress. “You are going to make your great-grandmother very proud, and be a fantastic nurse.”

“I love you, Mom.”

She pulls me into her chest. “I love you too, my sweet girl. More than you’ll ever know.”

After having my own daughter, I’m beginning to understand the strength of a mother’s love.

Everyone—including Perimenopause Patty—was right. Having a child gives love an entirely new meaning.

I thought I understood until I held Presley and realized I’d had no idea.

But I see a glimpse of it reflected in my mother’s eyes.

Once the last nursing graduate has been pinned, we gather around to light a small candle lamp and recite the Nightingale Pledge.

Then the crowd erupts in cheers as I realize I’ve finally finished something I started.

***

“She probably needs a diaper change.” Handing Presley over to Easton, I reach under my nursing cover and reattach the clasp on my bra.

“She needs to burp first, but that’s next on the list.”

My parents’ house is full of so many people from around town that I’m having a hard time focusing on Easton. That is, until he drops his head down to mine and kisses me. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“You’ve said that.”

“Well, I don’t plan on stopping.”

Once I’m covered again, I remove the nursing cover, rise from the couch, and cup his face. “Thank you. I know this party is for me, but I can’t wait for us to get home, just the three of us.”

“I know. But you should enjoy this. You’ve worked your ass off.”

“I still have to pass that exam, but yeah. It’s pretty freaking cool.”

“And in a few weeks, you’re going to wear a wedding dress and tell all of our friends and family that you agree to grow old and gray with me.”