match day

For months we have been talking about Match Day. It was in some ways, the biggest day of the year for our family. We were finally going to find out where we would be spending the next five years of our lives! Once we knew that we had matched (which we found out the Monday before) we didn't really care where we were going. We were just glad to know we would be going, because not everyone was so lucky. I packed a bigger diaper bag than a I bring to church since we knew the event could last as long as two hours. Being the only ones with three small children we thought we would try to keep everyone happy. Then we loaded up and headed out. We arrived with about 15 minutes to spare. We made potty trips, got snacks, and chose a "quick exit" on the side in the back. It was pretty obvious that everyone was anxious, and it only got worse once everyone got seated and things got started. The way Creighton does match day is they mix up everyone's envelope (with their future inside). Then they randomly call up each student and their family to open their letter in front of their entire class, their family and friends, and whomever else chooses to watch the podcast. This only adds to the nerves! Our kids did pretty good playing quietly until Chad's name was called to be on deck. This was about a half an hour into the readings. Up until that point I sat wringing my hands and answering frantic texts from friends and family that the pod cast feed had dropped. We gathered up the crew and walked to the stage. By this time we had both started to get a little shaky. Chad had to hand off Pratt to have a free hand to open his letter. It took him a minute because he had gotten very shaky. Wright State University Boonshaft Orthopedic Surgery and Reasearch Program in Dayton, Ohio! This was the six year program. Our families didn't get to see it, but we were thrilled! What followed were lots of texts and phone calls and just trying to let it all sink in. Everything Chad and our family had done to get to this point in his career had paid off! As we talked about his interview there it was interesting to remember that when he came home he just told me how good it felt there. And, that as he told me that, I felt that same goodness. It was those feelings that led us to have Dayton as one of our top picks on our rank list. For a couple of weeks we debated about our top three choices. In the end location and economics put it as number three, but we are ecstatic to know that we get to create a life for our family there as Chad continues his training!