Ohio has an interesting custom for graduates: the graduation party. We did not have these in Maine, so Meredith had to explain the hard concept to me: a “graduation party” is a party you throw when you graduate. Go figure.

Many many many high school graduates throw grad parties. These events are usually drop-in/drop-by style, where you can show up and see fun people and eat way too much food. Since students we know normally will invite other students that Meredith and I know, as well as inviting CVCA faculty and staff, these events are a lot of fun to go to. It gives you a chance to be mellow with colleagues and students, and usually involves sitting outside in very pleasant weather. Almost all grad parties have a picture wall or table, so you can smile at pictures of your handsome/pretty student when he/she was a toddler or even those awkward middle school years.

And the food – ahhhh. While usually based around finger foods, these parties are always extravagant in quantity. It is not unusual to have two or three main dishes, three to five side dishes, and anywhere from three to ten different kinds of dessert. We eat very well this time of year.

Since Meredith teaches AP seniors, they tend to be students that like English, and so end up liking Mer. So, we get invited to many grad parties. Memorial Day weekend: three parties in two days. This weekend: three parties in two days. Last weekend: a stunning gut-stretching social extravaganza of four parties in one afternoon! These parties go on for much of the summer. While we are gone to the Dominican Republic, we are missing five parties in nine days. We have parties in July and even a few in August.

I just hope my graduation is not up to the next size of pants.