Jovan's Eighth Grade Graduation

Jovan's Eighth Grade Graduation

This past Monday, Jovan graduated from eighth grade! 

Words cannot describe how proud I am of all he has accomplished in the last few years. He has grown into a handsome, responsible and caring young man. 

This week has been an emotional roller coaster for me; I don't know where time has gone! My "baby", my first born, is spreading his wings and growing into the young man I envisioned him to be, but it still feels like everything is happening too fast. 

Leaving Seven Hills Charter School is a big step for Jovan...and us! He has attended this school since Kindergarten. Leaving this place feels like he's leaving family behind. This school is all he's ever known, teachers that have seen him grow and friends that have grown alongside him from kindergarten through eighth grade — family. 

At the ceremony Mr. Fanfan, one of Jovan's previous teachers, gave a moving speech about changes; about being afraid of changes, but overcoming those fears, moving forward, having faith in themselves and succeeding in reaching their desired goals.

The entire time I was tearing up, it took all of me to keep from shedding any tears...until Jovan gave me this note, along with a carnation :').

After the ceremony, we went outside to take some pictures with the family. 

Jovan was eager to drop everything and leave and refused to go back to take pictures with friends and teachers (he's such a boy lol!), but I was able to sneak a picture with his previous math teacher, Ms. Stimpson. 

With his siblings, Abdiel, Adrián and Julissa.

My brother, Kevin joined us at Jovan's graduation, after working a 16-hour shift in the ER, along with his beautiful wife and daughter, Juliana and Amaya. 

Kevin is that sort of uncle, the one who is there for his niece and nephews and would sacrifice all the sleep in the world to be there rooting for them.

My mother, and sister, Chassandra were also there with my nephew, Julian. 

Our beautiful family...

...and us!

Son, we are so proud of you! We know that you will fly high and you will do great things. You will succeed. We are ready and buckled up tight, because the next four years are going to be quite a ride, but your Dad and I are already rooting for you, side by side. 

Whatever path you decide to take, we will back you up 100% . 

This is our promise.