Last Friday, we packed and headed up to Vermont for Adam's graduation weekend. By the time we got to Middlebury, the temperature had dropped over 20 degrees and it was raining. We stayed at the Lilac Inn in Brandon, VT. It was beautiful and welcoming, even on such a cold, dreary day.
As we walked up the staircase to our rooms, I read the words on the window.
Somehow, the words made a difference. They made the Inn feel more like a home.
At the top of the stairs was an old chest with antique maple syrup cans. As I examined them more closely they brought me back in time - I could remember some of them from my childhood.
After a short rest, it was time to head to Middlebury for our first event -
We got a chance to meet with Adam's Italian professors, classmates, and friends he made when he was in Italy last year.
Adam and Kayla talk with one of their Italian professors.
Grandma Alice was with us for the weekend too.
Jess and Adam became friends when they were studying in Rome the same semester.
Adam with his friend, Justin.
These last two ladies are two of Adam's favorite Italian professors...
This was his freshman year advisor.
Next up - dinner.
A few more of Adam's friends met us at a Thai restaurant for dinner.
The restaurant floated blue and white balloons on the ceiling, the Middlebury colors.
David always impresses us with the massive amount of food he can eat at one sitting!
It was such a nice dinner with four exceptional young men.
On Saturday, the Lilac Inn was bustling with activity. There was a wedding reception at the Inn, and we watched the bride getting into a beautiful horse-drawn carriage to take her to the church.
Then we headed back to Middlebury in the rain (have I mentioned it hasn't stopped raining since we got here yesterday??)
There was a reception for the history department where Adam introduced us to more of his "favorite" teachers.
These are his "favorite" parents!
There were more festivities to come in the evening as Adam and his housemates hosted a barbecue for their families. We had fun getting meeting everyone and were impressed that the guys were able to put a meal together for so many people!
After two days spent meeting Adam's teachers, friends and their families, I understood why we didn't just go for the actual ceremony. Middlebury College was inviting us into what has been Adam's world for the past four years. It is a close-knit community with many caring teachers who were also mentors and friends. They could have had these receptions without us, but I'm happy that chose to include us.
Graduation was scheduled for 10AM on Sunday - outside - rain or shine.
But the Vermont weather was a little too cold, a little too wet and a little too windy
to be held outside after all.
We were grateful!
(to be continued)
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