Graduation from The Ohio State University

"Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."

The words that adorned my graduation mortarboard did not come from a celebrity, football legend or prominent historical figure. 

Indeed, amid a sea of scarlet and gray Block O's and intricate buckeye-leaf designs, my graduation hat featured a message from an animated boy speaking to his "silly old bear."

This quote has been a constant presence through many stages of my life. It has appeared in picture frames, in collages and as a computer background on my first-ever laptop.

Now, it has appeared once again.

As I look to the future of post-graduation life, these words continue to be a fitting reminder of the importance of confidence and belief in oneself.

After preschool, I would come home and watch Pooh's Grand Adventure​ on VHS. I would laugh as the movie's cast of adorable animals set off through the Hundred Acre Wood in search of their friend Christopher Robin. My mom would prepare dinner while I watched the well-meaning Owl misread the word "school" as "skull." As a child who loved to read, I was puzzled as to why going to school was such a scary concept. It didn't occur to me that one day, I, too, would have to hug my stuffed animals goodbye, hop onto a yellow bus and trade playdates and make-believe for pencils and mathematics.

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Many years later, the quote appeared again, this time plastered on the side of a trunk I decorated with a collage of photos and images clipped from magazines. My best friend, Emily, and I spent hours sitting out on my parents' patio, putting our masterpieces together with the hopes of creating a unique conversation piece. Listening to a playlist of our favorite songs, we chatted about high school memories and cut out colored strips of scrapbook paper, hoping our handiwork would bring a pop of personality to our freshman-year dorm rooms.

After the Mod Podge had dried and the minivan was loaded, my family and I drove to Ohio State on the morning of move-in day. Within an hour, the trunk was deposited with a heavy thud in a crowded room on the 12th floor of Taylor Tower. It would later be transformed into a TV table and makeshift pantry. Yet, the quote was still visible beneath half-empty pizza boxes as friends gathered around to watch Fight Club on our room's tiny 19-inch screen.

Several years later, it was hauled once again through the doorway of my first-ever apartment, where it was used as a coffee table during late-night study sessions. And now, it sits facing the front door of my new apartment, greeting me whenever I come home from work each day.

Christopher Robin's words are comforting as I begin my journey into the working world. I have been very lucky to have an amazing support system of family and friends who have been with me through thick and thin for the past 22 years.

Now I get to put my bravery, strength and smarts to the test, and I couldn't be more excited. 

Until next time, though, as Tigger would say, it's "TTFN — ta-ta for now!"

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