Feelin The Love: MU Alumni Weekend

So orientation (session 11) started back up yesterday after having a 6 day break--it was much needed! I went back to MU on Sat morning for all the Alumni festivities and it was absolutely AMAZING! Wow, I don't think I've ever been so proud to be a Miamian. It was also kinda weird, though, since I just finished my 1st year and am clearly not an alumni, but I still felt like such a part of the group.

My favorite part happened at Upham Arch: the renewal of the vows that set a world record with over 1,000 couples participating. I feel like my words can't do it justice in describing what it was like to be there at the arch surrounded by so much Miami love....Ah, I can only imagine what it must be like to be the revered "Miami Merger." What was so amazing is that I'm pretty sure every generation was represented. OMG, this is incredible...there was a couple there who were married for 67 years! Can you even imagine?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I had
so many goose bumps and even teared up because the ceremony was so moving. Here are some pics to give you an idea of what it was like to be part of such a historic moment....

LOTS of people at Upham Arch for the "Miami Merger Moment" and I was in the middle of it all!
The newest Miami Mergers made it official...this was such a cool procession with all the men in uniform and all. What a beautiful bride too:)

Rachel's parents are Miami Mergers so it was AMAZING to be with them and be right there to hear them renew their vows. What a great couple:)
OMG, this is what started the flow of tears...Melt my heart. Is this not the cutest?! I can only hope to be like this adorable couple someday. They just prove that love really does last forever:)
Jacqueline and I felt a litle out of place so we became a couple for a few minutes;) haha.

After this amazing moment, I went to help out athletics promote the big Miami/UK fotball game and to hand out football schedules. It was AMAZING talking with everyone...I had 2 especially memorable converstions: One was with a man nicknamed Orbie (class of '54) who used to play football at MU, but doens't want to go to any games now bc we're not the "Redskins" anymore. H started off being really bitter, but then the more we talked the more he opened up and it was hard to stop the conversation (I wasn't doing my job! haha). Another was with a woman named Kay (class of '50) who spoke Spanish!!!!! and many other languages and had traveled all over the world. It was fascinating listening to her adventures and she was really excited to learn that I'm studying abroad my junior year.

I was tlaking to so many people that I started losing my voice! So, I went back to Emerson to change and then hung out with the SOULS the rest of the night. We ate great food and
listened to the Remnants and the Cheezies. 2 of the VERY popular a capella groups on campus. It was so awesome bc it was not only the current members, but also the alumni came back. So they did separate songs and then sang together. And at the end they ALL (Remnants AND Cheezies) sang together. Ah, it was so great:) After that, another band came on stage to play for the rest of the night. It was kinda awkward, though, bc a lot of people had already left and it was kinda dead. However, never fear when the SOULs are near! We started dancing and soon people started moving to the dance floor. It was amazing to see how just a small group of us could encourage people to join in the fun. We even got to go up on stage and dance!
haha. I had SO much fun being in such a historic, yet FUN and upbeat environment. I can't even imagine what it's gonna be lie when I actually AM and alumni!!! lol.