Poor Matt will probably never live it down. He’s my brother-in-law and last Saturday he graduated from college in Arizona. About a dozen friends and family assembled a few hours north of Phoenix to bask in the sun and glory of his accomplishment. Matt, a self described “crappy weather guy” dutifully sent out emails prior to the event giving weather reports.
“I don’t expect it to go above 95 and below 65,” read one email. “…unless a huge storm comes through and the cold front drops the temps.” Blah, blah, blah, whatever. I don’t think any of us really read that last part. It was May in Arizona. May + Arizona = warm sunny goodness. I bought a new dress, got a pedicure, dusted off some sandals, dug out the sunscreen, and was eager to sit in the hot sun on an uncomfortable plastic folding chair. Anything for family.
Saturday morning started off beautifully. Blue skies, warm sun, slight breeze. As the graduates filed across the grassy lawn, we all watched through our sunglasses. I panicked that I had forgotten to put sunscreen on the back of my neck.
As the last 50ish capped and gowned 20-somethings paraded by, we started to notice a darkening of the sky. The breeze picked up. I wrapped my half-sleeved sweater around my arms a little tighter. Then, just as the Dean announced, “You may be seated,” it started snowing. Little white chunky pieces of ice falling from the sky. I took off my sunglasses for further inspection. No doubt about it, it was snow.
It was hard to focus on what was being said up there on the podium. Instead, I watched my father-in-law occasionally brush snow off his suit jacketed shoulders. I watched my mother-in-law pull a windbreaker out of nowhere. She’s a mother of seven; she comes prepared. I sat with my sister-in-law, she smartly dressed in a jacket with full length sleeves and pockets. We giggled as the snow bounced and exploded as it hit our legs. I watched my toes slowly grow as red as the pedicure. After a third piece of snow hit me in the eye, I put my sunglasses back on, they now serving as goggles.
It was very impressive how quickly the college administrators amended the ceremony on the fly to reduce it to its core. One hour and 23 minutes after the snow began, about 300 graduates had received their diplomas, tossed tortillas in the air, posed for a picture or two, and text messaged their families to meet them in the warm, dry car.
It was certainly a graduation to remember. We were all very proud of Matt. We’re just thankful his degree wasn’t in meteorology. Next time, Matt, we’re trusting Yahoo Weather instead. Love ya!
4 comments:
I did not check the weather with in two days of Saturday. If everyone is on the road, what is the point of saying "it may snow." I said that there was a storm coming in, as did Yahoo weather. But, again, in my defense, Yahoo said it would rain Friday night. I must say that Yahoo was wrong on that account, and I am sure that not a single weather prediction entity said it would snow. I said that there was a storm coming in, and that if a cold front does come in, it would be cold. That is why it got really cold at the end of the ceremony, and the wind shifted from the south to the northwest. And yes, I know that I will never live this down. But remember, this non weather man has a higher GPA than you. So there :)
Blah, blah, blah. You sound a little defensive there, GPA Boy. And if my college had had grades, my GPA would have buried yours in the snow. Not that you would have seen it coming, of course.
Okay you two - this is your mother . . . enough squabbling. Actually, it's Toni's mother. Since she is an only child she never had the opportunity to squabble with a sibling, so THANK YOU, Matt, for being someone she can have some good natured fun with. Now, about that snow -- in MAY -- in ARIZONA. Craziest weather I've heard of in a long time. But one thing's for sure, no one who attended your graduation will EVER forget it. And CONGRATULATIONS Matt, College Graduate!
I seem to remember driving up to the fresh snow on Mt Baldy the weekend before my graduation. I think that was the same year it snowed on the Acro towers in downtown LA (but not in May).
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