Saturday morning arrived bright and clear. The air was filled with the frantic, joyful energy of graduation.
We sat in the crowded auditorium, the air buzzing with excitement and the faint scent of fresh flowers and polished wood.
When Irene’s name was called, she walked across the stage with that confidence that was clearly family trait.
Her graduation gown flowed behind her, and the moment she accepted her diploma, Adrian clapped loudly beside me with a proud smile on his face. I joined in, genuinely happy for a girl I hadn’t even met yet.
Once the ceremony concluded, the sea of graduates spilled onto the designated photo area for photos. Adrian took my hand as we navigated the crowd to meet the rest of the Langford clan.
"There they are," he said, nodding toward a small group wait
