06/14/2026
People often talk about the value of a college education in terms of the diploma, the career opportunities, or the earning potential.
But as I sat watching Nate graduate from the University of Washington with a degree in Computer Science - an entire year early - I realized the real value goes much deeper than that.
The education happens in the classrooms.
The transformation happens everywhere else.
It happens when you’re living with roommates and learning how to navigate personalities, conflicts, and responsibilities.
It happens when you’re balancing finances, deadlines, work, relationships, and expectations.
It happens when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, uncertain, and somehow find a way to keep moving forward anyway.
It happens when no one is standing over your shoulder telling you what to do, and you learn to manage your own life, make your own decisions, and live with the results.
The degree is proof that you mastered a subject.
The journey is proof that you mastered yourself.
What makes me most proud isn’t that Nate graduated early. It’s the man he became in the process. His discipline. His integrity. His work ethic. His ability to set goals and quietly, consistently achieve them.
And perhaps the greatest gift of all is seeing the people surrounding him. Every time we turned around, some nice young human was shaking his hand or embracing him. It’s one thing to love your child - but another level of respect to see how well he is loved by his peers.
And then…Watching his brothers, their wives, and his wonderful girlfriend celebrate him with such genuine love and joy filled my heart in a way I can hardly describe. The video says it all. They lift each other up - literally and figuratively.
As a parent, I don’t think there is a greater accomplishment than seeing your children love, support, and show up for one another.
The diploma is important.
But the character, resilience, friendships, memories, and love built along the way?
That’s the real education.
And this mama couldn’t be prouder.
Congratulations, Nate. We love you beyond words.
🎓