My Graduation Day

Originally featured in NuevaYorkinos' The Bronx Show Exhibit

At this point, we had been together for almost four years. Though to see us together, you might’ve thought it was longer. We have a chemistry that is undeniable. There’s never been an obstacle that we couldn’t overcome or a headache that we couldn’t ease, together. Oddly enough, when we first met we did not like each other. She felt I was too confiansu y relambio. I found her to be seca y odiosa. When we finally got around to speaking we became fast friends. I knew within weeks that I had found my future wife. 

This picture was taken on the day of my graduation from Lehman College. She was wiping an eyelash from my face. A beautiful, sunny day, no clouds in sight. Those of us graduating would be under tents and guests unfortunately were left out to toast in the sun. 

Eileen was hugely instrumental in me making it to this graduation. Early in our relationship, I seemed to be walking through life aimlessly, not unstable just without direction. I would talk about us getting married and having children, but had no tangible plan. She asked how a marriage and family would work if I didn’t maintain a stable job, go to school or save any money. 

I hadn’t yet given up on school, but I wasn’t proactive in trying to graduate. I was working a sales job that required lots of my time but only paid in commission. My lack of sales success led to zero pay and the time I was dedicating there kept me out of school for two semesters. 

It’s hard to plan a life with an uncooperative partner. She was busy going to school and working full time to pay that tuition. “How do you plan on moving forward?” This question would always come up. I never had a good answer, I didn’t believe enough in myself to map out a plan.

With her help, I built up my confidence and went back to school. I left that dead-end job and got one that actually gave me a regular paycheck. In an effort to keep me focused, we spent time together at the library studying. Working together on our assignments and reviewing for exams. Encouraging and supporting one another. 

Coincidentally she graduated from school just the week before. Watching her walk across the stage to receive her diploma filled me with pride and joy. It took me four years longer than anticipated. In the end, though, I don’t regret it. This time in our lives helped to form a bond that grows stronger every day. To have her by my side as I received my diploma, was reassuring and exciting.  

So much has happened in the 14 years since the day of this picture. We have been fortunate to  travel and experience the world, get married, purchase a home, and start a family. More importantly, we have built a true partnership, one that we hope will serve as an inspiration to our daughters.