Jimmy's last day of medical school....EVER!

Headed to school...

for his last day EVER!!

This blog has mainly been dedicated to writing about our sweet baby girl, Grace.  However, today's blog post is specifically dedicated to Jimmy, my loving husband, wonderful father, leader of our household, child of God and soon to be MD!  Many people are proud of Jimmy, but I don't think anyone (besides Jesus) could be more proud than the person writing this post (ME!  Kristen, his wife).  I met Jimmy at Erskine College in 2004 and BOY was I turned off...I thought he was the most arrogant person I had ever met.  I began to eat my words our junior year at Erskine...he fell for me hard (hehe) and we were engaged (in a very romantic way-yes I know I over use parentheses but I like them!) not quite a year after that.  Jimmy lived in Winston Salem by himself for his first year of medical school and it was very difficult to be apart.  Once we got married in June of 2009 our beautiful life began up in Winston.  We have LOVED living in Winston and have made the most incredible friends.  Friends that have helped us as a couple get through medical school and friends that have also helped Jimmy individually.  God has blessed us beyond belief because we get to spend the next four years of our lives right where our journey began!
Holly, a good friend of mine and she also has a spouse in medical school, (one of Jimmy's best friends) gets credit for reminding me that Thursday was indeed the last day of medical school, otherwise I wouldn't have realized it in time to do something special for him...so, thanks Holly!  Wednesday nights we have fellowship group through our church.  We have come to adore this weekly time that is set apart...it is so valuable and enriching.  I found a cute card idea and made it for him and everyone at fellowship group signed it...

 

I also grabbed a cookie cake and hid it at Kim's house.  Everyone couldn't make it last night but it ended up being a nice and cozy group.  We all sat down to eat dinner and I brought out the cookie cake with the card to surprise Jimmy (he hates surprises...but he liked this one).  We also all gave a toast to Jimmy.  Toasting is something we love to do in fellowship group.  When there is a special occasion like a baby shower, going away party or anything of that nature we give toasts which means each person takes the opportunity to express how much someone means to them.  It's a special experience that really lets you know how much you are loved...Jimmy and I were toasted before Grace was born and it was SO special.  Last night it was Jimmy's turn to have that feeling and yes, he turned completely red the WHOLE time :)  Mission accomplished!
Today Jimmy completes his last day of medical school.  There are a lot of emotions running through my body right now as I process the meaning of the end of medical school.  Relief, happiness, joy, excitement...the list goes on!  Jimmy has worked so incredibly hard over this past four years and he even got to be student body President of the whole medical school, which is a testament to his people skills...people love him and he loves them.  Jimmy worked his way through many difficult tests, rotations, night shifts...it's a never ending list.  I am so proud of the way he balanced these four years of medical school and appreciate now more than ever how great of a husband he was throughout the whole process.  I mean...he gave ME the best gift during medical school and that was our daugther, Grace. 
As Jimmy finishes his last day of medical school I pray that he will truly get to enjoy his time off before residency starts.  He deserves this time off and we plan on spending it with all of our friends in different ways.  Thank you, Jimmy, for living your life for Christ which I have witnessed first hand and others have learned about you throughout medical school.  God has given you a gift and I am so proud that you are using that gift to further his kingdom...even though you may not be in the mission field that you have in mind right now, each day of residency will bring you closer to your goal.  Grace (plus any other babies we have along the way...not more than 2 more please) and I will be with you, supporting you, every step of the way.

Love,
Me :)