Ethan's Thomas Jefferson University Graduation

Happy Graduation, Ethan! Ethan is an official 2021 graduate of Thomas Jefferson University. (Also known as Philadelphia University). Throughout the past year, we didn't know how this moment would look because of the pandemic. When it hit in 2020, those graduates didn't even have the opportunity to walk across a stage. I'm so happy and grateful that we were all able to be together and watch Ethan graduate.

A fun fact, Jefferson campus is less than 5 minutes from my home! Since we anticipated a busy graduation day, I met Ethan on campus a few days before his actual graduation to do a mini cap and gown session. This is such a great way to get those AMAZING graduation pictures you want without being surrounded by other graduates trying to get their shots.

My parents flew in from San Diego, while Colin and Lexie flew in from Colorado. Luckily everyone was able to get fully vaccinated before flying across the country. All of them met in Harrisburg, PA, picked up the grandparents, and drove down to Philadelphia! After Ethan's graduation day, we all took a mini-vacation to one of our family's favorite places, Cape May (pictures to come).

Due to the pandemic, precautions were still in place. The ceremony was held outside, with only two guests being able to go in. Other guests could watch in the live stream parking lot... which was honestly just hilarious because the screen was SO SMALL. You couldn't see anything on this tiny "movie" screen. Luckily we also found the stream online and watched it from cell phones and laptops—very 2021 appropriate.

Cheers to you, Ethan! I'm so glad we all were able to watch you walk across the stage and enjoy a family vacation together afterward. I'm so excited to see where the future takes you and happy to be part of your journey along the way.

My baby brother is a graduate!

Photos on Thomas Jefferson campus

See that TINY blue screen among the trees. THAT was the live stream screen in parking area. We ended up streaming the graduation on our phones and laptops.

Ethan walking across the stage! Couldn’t get an actual photo but here is a screen shot. A plus of the live stream is that I was able to screen record him walking.

Me, Colin, Ethan, Lexie and the Philadelphia skyline at Belmont Plateau.

Ethan and the Ram

Thatcher siblings - Colin is the middle child, Ethan the youngest, and I’m the oldest.

Ethan and Grandma (Mom’s mom)

Nanny (Dad’s mom) and Ethan

Colin, Ethan, and Lexie

Ethan on campus!

The parents and Ethan.