The graduation day was warm and bright, the auditorium filled with families, laughter, and the restless energy of endings and new beginnings.
I sat in the front row holding two bouquets, my hands tight around the stems, feeling pride and something heavier I couldn’t quite name. Today wasn’t just about graduation—it was about everything it took to get here.
One by one, the girls crossed the stage. Maya first, then Lila. Caps tilted slightly, gowns flowing, faces glowing with relief and achievement. They looked like they had already stepped into a new world.
After the ceremony, the crowd swirled around us. We hugged, we laughed, we took photos. They introduced me to friends, and I tried not to make it too obvious how emotional I was.
