It was the longest three weeks Tino had ever endured. Tasha was back in town to prepare for Graduation Day. Only five days remained.

Tino and Tasha had been talking over the phone almost daily. The distance seemed to glue them even closer together. They missed each other terribly. When they met, they embraced each other for a very long time….and shared their first kiss. Butterflies!

“I missed you so much,” Tino finally said.

“I missed you too,” Tasha replied with a deep sigh.

Tasha spent the next five days closing shop on campus. There was a lot to be done; paperwork, getting a graduation outfit and a whole list of errands. 

Her family arrived at around nine in the morning. The ceremony was scheduled to start at ten. They hugged Tasha and then found their way to their reserved seats. 

The weather was consenting to the event. It was sunny, soft and serene. Not a whiff of violence was in attendance. More butterflies! 

The event started with a choral rendition of Amazing Grace. It was beautiful. Next were speeches and more speeches. Finally, the actual graduation. 

When Tasha’s name was called, there was an ecstatic tempest. As she climbed the stage to get capped and receive the Dunning Award (for the Best Student in Undergraduate Psychology), her family and classmates got to their feet and gave her a befitting standing ovation. 

Tino was so proud. 

As the sun bade farewell, so too did Tino’s melancholy set in. Tasha was going home with her family. She would be starting her Masters in Clinical Psychology at State University in three months. 

More distance, more time apart.