"I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry," Lim repeated to herself as she smoothed out her black dress. It was one of the few times she had actually worn one over dress pants and a blouse, but the weather was warm. Too warm for long apparel.
"And usually I'm the emotional one in this marriage." Melendez came up beside her as he tied his tie.
"This is only our first time going through this, too. We have another kid after Mei-Li."
"We're going to be wrecks when we're helping her move into her dorm at Stanford in a few months."
"Gosh, it seems like it wasn't that long ago when Mom and Mrs. Wang were helping me and Laura move into our dorm at Stanford. Now, in August, it'll be all of us helping Everly and Mei-Li move into their dorm."
"I know Mei-Li says Everly can't wait to get rid of her current roommate," said Melendez.
"I'm going to go check on Mei-Li," said Lim. She walked down to her daughter's bedroom, and knocked on the door. "Honey, may I come in?"
"Yeah," Mei-Li answered. Lim entered the room, and gazed at Mei-Li with pride. She was wearing a yellow summer dress with flowers on it, and matching black heels. Her crimson gown and mortarboard were lying on her bed, along with her gold National Honor Society stole, as well as her National French Honor Society chord. She turned to face her mother, and said, "I can't believe I'm graduating today."
"That makes three of us, including your dad. And probably Carlos, too." Lim sat down on the bed, and Mei-Li joined her. "It's a shame you and Danielle had to break up."
"Yeah, well, I'll be here in California. She'll be in Oregon. We figured it would be easier to go our separate ways. We want to remain friends, though," said Mei-Li. "So, has Dad been crying nonstop today?"
"Actually, I was the one crying last night," admitted Lim. "I can't believe my first baby will be a high school graduate in a few hours."
"Mom, I'm eighteen," said Mei-Li. "I'm a legal adult, except for the fact that I can't legally purchase alcohol."
"If you have kids one day, you'll understand how I'm feeling right now," said Lim. "In a few hours, you'll be a high school graduate. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital."
"Are you going to cry at the ceremony, or will that be Dad's job?" asked Mei-Li.
"Probably both of us," Lim said. "Now, we should get going."
Once they arrived at Mei-Li's high school, the graduates were getting ready to line up, while the audience was getting seated. "We'll see you soon, mija," said Melendez.
"You'll do great," said Miguel. "Te quiero."
"Te quiero," said Mei-Li as her family went to find seats.
Mei-Li found her place in line, and smiled at her friends, Amanda, Colleen, and Mark, as well as Danielle. Pomp & Circumstance began to blast over the speakers, and one-by-one, the graduates processed down the aisle of the school auditorium. As Mei-Li walked down the aisle, she saw her family members smiling proudly at her. A few of them were taking pictures, and both of her parents had tears streaming down their cheeks. After all of the graduates as well as the faculty had processed into the auditorium, the principal took her place at the podium, and began the ceremony. "Good morning, families, friends, teachers, students, and most importantly, our soon-to-be graduates. Welcome to the commencement exercises for the Class of 2038. We gather here today to celebrate their accomplishments, and to induct them into the alumni rankings of Lynbrook High School. Lynbrook works to produce graduates who go out to make a difference and transform the world, and I know the graduates of the Class of 2038 are prepared to do just that. Now, I would like to introduce our salutatorian: a three sport athlete in cross country, soccer, and swimming, he also earned many AP credits, in addition to being Vice President of the National Honor Society, a member of the National Chinese Honor Society, and a member Future Business Leaders of America. Let's welcome your salutatorian, Mark Cheng."
Everyone clapped as Mark made his way to the front of the stage. "Thank you, Mrs. Kim. Families, friends, faculty, staff, and my fellow graduates, I went to write this speech doing my best to not write all of the cliché phrases read at graduation ceremonies, but I realized, it would be impossible not to with this class and with Lynbrook High. The faculty here helped push me to be the best that I could be, as I know they did so with each and every graduate. If it wasn't for the dedicated faculty here at Lynbrook, my family, and my friends, I might not be up here giving you this speech. So fellow graduates, if it's one thing I want to tell you, it's to make the most of life. Use your talents to make a difference. Work to make the world a better place. Congratulations to the Class of 2038."
The audience clapped and cheered, as Mrs. Kim stopped forward again. "Thank you, Mark. And now, for the Class of 2038's valedictorian, this young woman completed many AP courses during her time as a Lynbrook student. She served as President of the National Honor Society, served as editor of Lynbrook's student newspaper, The Epic, and is also a member of the Lynbrook Drama Club, the National French Honor Society, the Spanish Club, Women in STEM, the Pre-Med Club, and the Surgery Interest Club. It is my honor to present Lynbrook High School's valedictorian for the Class of 2038, Mei-Li Lim-Melendez."
Mei-Li could hear her family cheering loudly as she made her way to the podium. She looked out over the audience, all eyes on her. She caught a glimpse at her family—all of them—before she took a deep breath, and began her speech. "Good morning, Mrs. Kim, faculty members, families, friends, and the Class of 2038. When I found out I had to give a speech in front of everyone at graduation, I didn't know what I was going to say. But, one night at dinner, my parents told me to write what's on your heart, so that's what I did. These past four years at Lynbrook have been some of the best years of my life. I know that sounds cliché, but I've made memories here that I'll cherish forever. The faculty, staff, and administration have pushed me to the best of my abilities. Sorry to steal your line, Mark," Mei-Li said, and everyone laughed. "But there are several other people here whom have helped me get to where I am today. All of the family members have contributed to my life in some manner, but I have two role models whom I've strived to be like every day, though I'm sure I've failed. My mother taught me to always work hard, and not let what other people think bother me. And I know how hard she's had to work to become St. Bonaventure's first female president, as well as manage to keep a happy marriage together, and keep me and my brother in line," she joked. "This was all accomplished while facing her own battles. And my dad has taught me that if you have your heart set on something, to go after it. This attitude helped him in becoming St. Bonaventure's first Latino Chief of Surgery, as well as creating the family he's always wanted. I've tried to live up to these standards each and every day, but I know I fail. But, I also know that with our Lynbrook roots, we can all achieve anything we set out to do. Congratulations and best of luck, Class of 2038."
Everyone cheered as Mei-Li returned to her seat. "Thank you, Mei-Li," said Mrs. Kim. "Now, the moment you've all been waiting for. When I call your name, please come to the front to receive your diploma." Mrs. Kim read the graduates' names, and they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. "Mei-Li Esmeralda Lim-Melendez," she called. Mei-Li walked across the stage, and shook the vice principal's hand as she took her diploma. After all of the graduates had received their diplomas, Mrs. Kim said, "Graduates, please stand and face the audience." They all did so. "Ladies and gentlemen, Lynbrook High School's Class of 2038!"
After commencement, everyone gathered outside for congratulations and photographs. "Congratulations, Mei-Li," said Gabi, hugging her niece.
"Thank you, Tía Gabi," said Mei-Li.
"Wonderful speech, amorcita," said Maria.
"Off to Stanford in the fall," said Josh. "Seems like just yesterday, we were moving you into the Stanford dorms." He looked at Lim.
"What can I say? She's become my mini-me," said Lim.
"Doubt it. I can't see you dancing ballet, or watching Disney princess movies voluntarily," said Melendez. "Congratulations, mija."
"Gracias, Papi," said Mei-Li.
"Thank God, you're now a graduate. I can't wait to get rid of my obnoxious roommate," said Everly.
"Everly Brianne Wang," scolded Laura.
Mark came over to everyone, and said, "Congratulations, Mei-Li. I'm going to miss competing against you."
"Well, New York University is getting a wonderful future businessman. But just think, we could have been a power couple here at Lynbrook had you not been constantly competing with me."
Mei-Li and Mark sparred back and forth a few moments longer, while Lim looked over at her husband, and said, "Like mother and father, like daughter. Those two remind me of me and you when were residents."
"Just imagine if Danielle hadn't moved to San Jose, and Mei-Li and Mark had possibly gotten together," said Melendez.
Mark bid his farewell, and Lim said, "Well, we have everything set up for the party back at our house. Let's go celebrate our graduate."