Day 268

Hi Dad,

Today is the day, Dad. My very last day of school, ever. After 23 years of books (and 7 years of teeth!), I'm finally here! I should be cramming in my last few hours of studying for this exam today, but instead I wanted to spend a little bit of time with you.

You would have known today was my last day and I know you would have called to say, "My baby girl (and now, Dr. Coulter), I am so proud of you, you have worked so hard and you have accomplished so much!" And I would have said, "Thanks Dad, but today isn't really that big of a deal." :P And it's really not, but I am happy to finally be done. Work in the real world will be no piece of cake, but finally getting to the point that I have been working towards for so long is a huge relief. And no more tests for a while will be nice (except for my boards in October 😩), and I guess a little bit of income could help.

Thank you for supporting me throughout the last 29 years, encouraging me, and giving me the motivation to make you proud. I'm heartbroken that I can't physically tell you, "I did it, and the day is finally here!" and that I can't get a great big rewarding "Good Job!" hug from you, but I'll try to remember that you're watching and you have a great big sunshine-y smile looking down at me.

I'll be thinking of you all day. I love you.

Ashley