The Kanes: Walt's Graduation

I just can't believe my baby brother is getting ready to go to college! Where has the time gone? I remember when he was born. I was 9 years old. Weird....I sure wasn't excited about going to the hospital that day. I was sulking about my grandma not making me breakfast before we went to meet him. (I guess that's what happens when you are used to being the only one for 9 years :) I never imagined we would ever be as close as we are and have been. I love that kid so much! Every time he sends me a text or calls me and ends it with an I love you it still melts and tugs at my heart a little.

Nick and I are as different as night and day. I have always been grown up and serious. He has always been goofy and nonchalant without a care in the world. I have always been concerned about school, money and the future. He lives every day with the intent to have fun and a good time. Sometimes I am envious of his fun-loving attitude....wish I had a little bit of that in me.

When Chris and I started dating nick was 5...I remember when Chris would come over to hang out. We would plan to watch a movie and my mom and dad would send Nick downstairs to "supervise." (They tell me they miss this now since no one is home to supervise Nick and his girlfriends lol). This meant one of two things: Chris was either going to play cars with Nick (to which Nick would dump all 500 of his Hot Wheel cars on the floor) or we would play "drive-in" where Nick would turn his Little Tykes truck (similar to a Cozy Coupe) upside down and sit on the bottom of it so he soared above the couch (and our view) to watch a movie with us. Nick and Chris' little brother and sister, Nate and Maggie went everywhere with us. We would travel to zoos, parks, baseball games, you name it altogether.

All of a sudden Nick grew up and turned into a high-schooler. Chris and I spent our fall Friday nights at the football field, home or away to watch Nick play. He played a little basketball and golf, but his true love was football. I think that was the first time I realized how grown up Nick was becoming. I watched him pour his heart and everything he had into football. The coaches asked him to stop drinking cokes early in his career and he didn't drink one until after the last game of his senior year. He suffered through two-a-day practices in the extremely, hot July and August temperatures. He may not have had the natural talent, but he was one of the most hard-working kids out there.

During high school Nick and Chris started to bond even more. One interest they share is golf. As Nick picked up playing golf at school, he was finally acceptable enough to play with Chris, Dad and Nick Lawrence. In an attempt to alleviate confusion on the golf course my Nick earned the nickname Walt after the name printed on his then golf clubs, Walter Hagan. His nickname has stuck ever since. To most of us Nick is and will always be Walt. (He's even listed in my phone as that. :)

Although I am still in denial that Nick is becoming an adult (he is the baby and definitely acts the part after all) I am pretty proud of him. He managed to graduate with an Academic Honors Diploma (I was certain he had given up on it early on) and is a pretty good kid. He often makes me feel like his second mom the way I worry and agonize over him, but I love him nonetheless. I am hoping he is ready to shock the world and put his very, smart brain to work!

Cammie and Walt at awards day...both are thrilled to have their pictures taking after sitting so long :)

Nick and his best buddies...Tanner and Drew (I am so going to miss these guys! Tanner and Drew are not only Nick's friends, but also the first class of seniors Chris has had in baseball. I feel like I have followed these kids forever!)

Cammie patiently waiting during graduation :)

Nick walking in

And she's had enough! :)

Right before the class of 2012 said good-bye and threw their hats in the air, Nick's class broke into a flash mob that they had been practicing for quite some time. It was pretty cool and definitely a great memory they will carry with them forever! Check it out!