Page 132 of Fortunate Misfortune
It feels like the start of something new with my best friend.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Good afternoon, esteemed faculty,honored guests, proud family and friends, and most importantly, the graduates of Clear Lake University!”
Mallory’s eyes roam the rows and rows of black graduation gowns and decorated caps before landing on me. Even with hundreds of people around, it feels like it’s only us in the room.
“Breathe,” I mouth. “I love you.”
Mallory’s shoulders drop slightly, lips parted to take a deep breath before diving in.
“Today we gather to celebrate a commencement. Many may call it an ending, but I believe it’s a continuation. Your next chapter of life starts now, and as we step into this newfound time of life, I want to take a moment to explore a paradoxical theme that has resonated deeply with me over the last four years. One I’m sure we’ve all experienced in our lives and time here at CLU. Fortunate misfortune. To put it simply, fortunate misfortune is the idea that challenges, which originally may seem like inconveniences or hardships, can ultimately lead to positive outcomes. In the spirit of joy and festivities, I’ve chosen some lighthearted examples,but I don’t want to take away from those who fought to make it here today. Your strength, grit, and perseverance deserve to be celebrated.
“During her freshman year, my dear friend Libby fell off her bike in the middle of campus. All of us can agree that nobody ever wanted to be that person. In that moment, Libby was badly bruised and embarrassed, but she was even more shocked when a kind soul rushed to her aid. They’ve been dating ever since.”
Libby hoots from the audience.
“This source requested to stay anonymous. Every Hilliard Public Health student took Chemistry 101 with Dr. Mona, and we can all agree that it was a rough time. Sleep deprived and distraught that their medical school dreams seemed impossible, they stumbled out of the library and ran straight into someone they had never met before but had seen in class. Trauma bonded by Dr. Mona’s pop-quizzes, they forged a forever friendship. Sorry, Doc. We love you.”
Mallory’s confidence soars as Dr. Mona struggles to contain her laughter.
“Life has a weird way of presenting challenges. At times, it feels like they’retoodaunting. Whether it’s friendship problems, financial struggles, burnout, health issues, or academic setbacks. It’s in those moments of adversity that you discover the strength not only to keep moving forward, but also to grow. Every time you overcome an obstacle, you acquire a new skill set to help you in every endeavor. Your time here at Clear Lake University has undoubtedly exposed you to many struggles, but that also came with new friends, experiences, personal growth, and chasing your passions and dreams.”
The beautiful, emotional, and vulnerable woman I’m in love with pauses, wiping at her eyes. This speech means so much more to her than the people here truly know.
It’s the story of her journey and us wrapped up in two words.
“May you carry a spirit of resilience into the world and far beyond campus. When faced with adversity, may you see not just misfortune, but the seeds of your future successes. Congratulations, and may the misfortunes of today be the stepping-stones to the triumphs of tomorrow!”
The applause is deafening, surprising Mallory with the reaction. It takes some time to reel the crowd back in before getting to the names, and before I know it, it’s time to say goodbye to undergrad.
I toss my cap into the air, the sky black for a brief moment, signifying the first step into our new journeys.
“Kenneth Gray!”
There she is. Standing in front of me is the woman I still don’t know how I convinced to be mine. My hands immediately pull her to me so I can sink my hands into her hair and kiss her.
Nan screams, “Get a room!” through her megaphone, and Mallory pulls back with a smile.
“Keep kissing me like that and Nan is going to get kicked out of here.” Mallory drapes her arms around my waist, never taking her eyes off me. “How did I do? Did I look like I wanted to pass out? Because I swear, I wasthisclose to fainting.”
I press my lips to her forehead. “You did great, Ed. It was a beautiful speech. Don’t you want to thank your ghost writer?”
“Nuh-uh. Editor,” she corrects me with an eye roll.
“Same difference.”
“Big difference. An editor is someone who—”
“Please don’t Mal-splain something to me while I’m holding my summa cum laude diploma. I get it. You’re the smart one in this relationship.”
Mallory grins. “Me? Whatever, baby. In four years, you’ll be Dr. Kenneth Gray.”
Come August, I’ll start my Doctorate in Biostatistics studying under my mentor, Dr. McGregor. A partnership bloomed after my summer internship, giving me an opportunity to continue research with one of the leading MS scientists.
“Even then,” I say.
