Not Quite the Fabulous Life of Elle Woods

Going into college, I had a picture in my head of exactly what it would be like.  I imagined what you typically see in all the movies: tons of interesting and fun people who look at least 24, crazy parties that never get interrupted or shut down, and not a single moment of class. I thought I would go to a major university, join a sorority, and live the fabulous life of Elle Woods.  
That was definitely not my reality.  

I personally had a slightly different college journey than many of my friends who may have experienced something similar to what I was expecting.  I went to a school in downtown Colorado for a year where I truly discovered the extent of my procrastination and lack of motivation.  This was the year that the saying "You could be successful if you just applied yourself" really explained it all.  I was in a slump that carried over from high school.  I did not know what I wanted to do in the future, and that only added to my feeling of being stuck in an unproductive limbo.  

However, this was also the year that I met Clark.  Despite doing long distance for a year, we made it through and were reunited in May when he returned to Colorado.  At this point, he decided to accept a scholarship to an engineering school in Wisconsin, and asked me to move with him.  I was left with a choice of what to do with my future.  I knew he was the person I wanted to be with, and I knew what I was doing in  Colorado wasn't working.  I needed to make a change.  

I made up my mind, hopped in the car, and started my new life with Clark in a city completely unfamiliar to me.  I registered for a Tech school downtown to continue getting my general credits while I figured out just what I wanted.  Eventually, thanks to the support of my amazing family and friends, I ended up applying to a couple schools in town, and ultimately enrolled at Marquette University.  Here I spent two years, growing, thriving, and learning all that I could about the business world, and specifically Marketing.  
What a whirlwind it's been!

I have met some incredible people that have made the journey my focus, and the end result just an added bonus. 
I have grown my professional network with individuals such as the Milwaukee Buck's owners, the owner of the Colorado Rockies, a fashion merchandiser for the NBA, the VP of Sports Center, and the list goes on.
I have been introduced to amazing companies, one of which I now get to work for in September.
I have furthered my faith and understanding of how God's work benefits my daily life.  
I have experienced college in a unique way, side by side with someone I love.

In no way were my 8:00am classes, common accounting exams, hikes up to the 5th floor of Staz, 
similar to the fabulous life of Elle Woods.  

However, all those Wednesday Trivia nights, summer festivals, late nights studying with friends, trips to Target for nothing, and so much more definitely made it worth it.  It might not have been what I expected.. but it was 4 years I wouldn't trade for the world.  
What better way to end this amazing time then with your friends & family by your side?
I was lucky enough to have so many people fly here to watch me walk across a stage and celebrate the ending of an incredible journey.. not to mention the perfect proposal from my now Fiancé.  
Love saying that!

As Elle Woods said in her final graduation speech, "It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world, remembering that first impressions are not always correct. You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself."  It is thanks to all the incredible support of the amazing people in my life that I will go forward with a strong sense of self, and what looks to me to be a very bright future.
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**If you were hoping to read about the proposal, you'll have to wait a little longer.  Stay Tuned!**