McQuay Memories: Graduating and other transitions

In the last year I have interned, become a father, received an offer from my dream job, fallen even more in love with my wife, graduated, moved away from the Rocky Mountain area (Utah/Southern Idaho) for the first time in seven years, moved to Dallas, and begun full time employment. It's been a busy year.

Each of those transitions deserves more attention than I have time to give, which is unfortunate but part of life. That said, I did want to highlight their existence while also providing some commentary on my thoughts regarding graduating - finishing my formal education (perhaps forever) after knowing little else for the past 22ish years of my life. What commentary do I have to give, then, on closing that chapter? Very little, in fact. I told my (wonderful) mother-in-law when she asked me how I felt about graduating, that I saw it as little more than a formality - that my real achievement took place in November when I signed the offer letter from Oliver Wyman.

In truth, graduation, for as important a life event as it was, was severely overshadowed by the other transitions I listed above. No event can compare to watching my wife give birth to a baby. No event can compare to the novel sensations experienced as a new parent gives his heart away to a tiny, defenseless human being and is glad to do so, and the joy that comes as that tiny person learns that 1) I'm a distinct and recognizable person and 2) she actually loves me back.

Leaving the Utah/Idaho area, my home since graduating from high school way way back in 2005, was a transition that emotionally caught me by surprise. For a long time, I'd look forward to "escaping" from the valley - but as the date of my move came closer and closer, I realized that I loved Utah: my family there, its people, its scenery, its restaurants (Provo has an incredibly diverse selection of foreign flavors), its summer weather. Heidi and I quickly scrapped together a bucket list of things to do before we left - and gladly hit nearly every item.

Moving to Dallas was surreal. Many thanks to my Dad for flying up to Utah to help me load the van (along with Sean Self, Addison Eldridge, Alex Coates, Brad Melluish, and my sister Caitlan - thank you all!) and driving down with me. Pulling into my house's driveway was surreal. The utterly flat landscape is surreal (OK, there's some semblance of hills, at least when compared to Houston, but nothing compared to Utah - from my office tower I can see a distinct curve to the Earth in every direction). The genuine kindness of strangers is surreal. I guess I'll have to write more about Dallas later, once I sort out my thoughts.

And, one month after graduating, nearly to the day, I began the next chapter of my life - one that does not have any sort of expected end-date like my education did. Hello employment and "real" adulthood.

I think this is the perfect occasion to share Dr. Seuss' timeless "Oh the Places You'll Go!" Enjoy. :-)

I am immensely glad that I chose to go to BYU. I met wonderful people, had wonderful experiences, and learned a lot. I cannot thank my Dad enough for the example he set - of the importance of education, no matter the cost. I am grateful for the opportunities ahead of me, for the places that I'll be able to go (to).

To close, I'll attach a dozen or so photos that didn't make it onto Heidi's graduation post from the family brunch we had at Magleby's after the ceremony.

Love you all,

Sean