Five years

 As I was driving home today I realized I've been out of college longer than I was in it.

 It doesn't seem that long. But there I was, a nine-month newlywed with burdensomely long hair I had grown out of stubbornness. A boy had told me, after an awkward growing-out phase I had finally given up on, that he liked my hair better short. And so, to prove how independent I was, I spent the next three years growing it out. Who needs you, Boy With Opinions. Certainly not me. Less than a week after these pictures were taken the hair was cut and shipped to Locks of Love, and it may never be that long again.

College was a lovely time. The campus was beautiful, the classes were interesting, and my friends were the greatest. I got paid to hang out in a library. I probably would have delayed graduation so I could take some classes I'd never gotten around to, but. The scholarship money was running out, and we were super broke. Tuition for two was not happening. I was planning on keeping my job at the library while I looked around for something more grown up while Levi finished his master's, and toying with the idea of grad school. And, just as we were ramping up for finals, Levi got an interesting phone call. One interview later, we were scrambling to look for a new apartment closer to the New Dream Job. And just like that, college and life in Logan were both over. I loved them so and was sad to say goodbye.

And now, five years later, I'm glad to be where I'm supposed to be. Every September I still get that back-to-school urge, but I'm busy. I'm happy. I still get to be friends with these crazy dames, even if we rarely talk and still more rarely see one another (I swear I'm coming to see you on our way to Yellowstone sometime this summer, Shelly). And I've learned things from life that I never could have learned from school.