Matthew’s Graduation!

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A few weeks ago, our son Matthew graduated from Hofstra University in New York.  To say that we’re proud of him is an understatement!  I can’t believe 4 years have gone by so fast.

I was a total wreck the year leading up to Matthew going away to college.  I cried at the drop of a hat.  (Just ask anyone in my family!)  I think what bothered me the most was the distance.  The University is 3 1/2 hours from home and he was on his own for the first time.  I remember taking him out to eat (just the two of us) before he went off to college.  As I sat across from Matthew in the restaurant, I cried like a blubbering fool.  He was so sweet and assured me that he was going to be fine.  He was ready for this new adventure and I wasn’t.  I’ll never forget how hard it was for us to drop him off at school Freshman year and how it always drove us crazy that he only called us about every 3 weeks or so.  (He still doesn’t call as often as we’d like!)

Well, it took some time to get used to Matthew being away and now we find ourselves 4 years later attending his graduation.

Andrew, Matthew, Me, and Dave

This photo was taken before the Graduation in front of the house Matthew rented with his friends.

Hofstra had 3 separate graduation ceremonies that day in the morning, afternoon, and night. Matthew’s Graduation was in the afternoon.  Luckily, the rain held out until it was over!

Phil Rosenthal (Creator, Executive Producer and Writer of Everybody Loves Raymond) received an Honorary Degree and entertained us with a speech that both parents and students could relate to!  Did you know that he married Monica Horan (the actress that played Raymond’s sister-in-law, Amy, in Everybody Loves Raymond)?

This is Phil Rosenthal joking around with his wife Monica, after his speech.

Here’s Matthew shaking hands with the President of the University.

I’m glad I kept clicking away with the camera because I had no idea Matthew and his friends were going to do this after receiving his diploma….

That cracked me up!

Matthew and his friends

This was taken on the beautiful Arboretum grounds at Hofstra.

A rare photo of my two boys!

Matthew graduated with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy.  He’s moving to Boston in a few months (which is closer to home) and is planning to go to Grad School in 2012.  Between school work, a part-time job, and internships, he hasn’t had time to figure out where he wants to go to Grad school.  Hopefully, he’ll stay in the northeast!

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