My middle school had an 8th grade graduation. It was 2002 and like most graduations there was a dress code (no strapless dresses), a ceremony, and parents and other loved ones encouraged to attend. This was my first graduation and I was excited! Not to mention, I loved my dress (which was strapless but with straps added so as to not incite whatever catastrophe a strapless dress on a flat chested 8th grader could incite).
When we arrived to the ceremony someone asked my dad if he was proud of me for graduating and excited for the graduation ceremony. My dad, who has been dead for 10 years and remains my #1 hero, responded: “I am never not proud of Natalie. But is this an accomplishment? Why is there a ceremony? I didn’t realize people graduated from 8th grade. When I was a kid you just finished 8th grade and then you went to high school.” Mic drop.
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