Farewell, CCC!

We received some sad news two weeks ago. My cute little college has been struggling financially over the last several years and they have decided it's time to officially close the doors at the end of this month. I may be partial, but Clearwater has the most gorgeous campus I've ever seen. It may not be historic or fancy, but it's surrounded by Tampa Bay, full of palm trees, and the white buildings create such a pretty contrast with the bright blue Florida sky. It has been four years since I graduated (when did I get so old?!) and I basically can only think of amazing memories from that place. Here are some of them; although I'll never be able to get them all down in writing, I pray I'll never forget them! I know CCC will forever bring a smile to my face.

- All of the amazing lifelong friendships I made, the incredible professors and leadership who cared so much about every student, SDC greek meetings and service projects, and Units X, U, S, and P!

- The knowledge of the gospel and realization of how important discipleship is, which have both stuck with me.

- Road trips in the Mustang with Daddy each fall and spring, and all the fun places we visited. My favorite memory has to be climbing Stone Mountain, of course.

- Making up new song lyrics with Hilary at the eternally long stoplight: "Let you single-hand-hold me in my modest jeans, I'll be your Christian dream tonight..." 

- Getting to spend a year and a half at college with Hilary--somehow it was different than all those years we lived together at home, and being there together was my favorite thing! (Thanks for keeping the laundry situation under control for me! And beating up all those mean girls! ;) 

- Wanting to enjoy the view from the solarium in the cafeteria without being surrounded by all the weird couples.

- Surviving on fluffernutter sandwiches, mac n cheese, turkey stacks, and ice cream. (Now that I think about it, that's why I lost weight after graduating!)

- All of the fun visitors who came down to see me over the years!

- Donating blood my first semester, climbing to the top floor of Paden (in the Florida heat and humidity).... then passing out while sharing the experience over the phone with my dad who was all the way in NC. Sorry about that.

- Singing to the sweet people at the nursing home each Sunday afternoon

- Balancing a laptop anywhere just to watch a movie off campus (since they weren't allowed on campus)

- "Tucking in" my girls each night as an RA. They were so sweet and I loved those late night conversations.

- Making laps around the soccer field at night on the seashell track talking with my mom and dad on the phone

- Tuesday nights at Chickfila with kids meals and the ice cream Sunday bar! And winning the drawing for the worlds largest stuffed CFA cow!

- Being grossed out by the intense single hand holding going on at the bottom of the Paden stairs each night

- Skipping church the last Sunday of sophomore year, driving to Sarasota and journaling/praying by the bay, then going to the mall to get my second ear piercing (which caused my mom to throw a shoe at me) and then going to see a movie. Not even sure how many demerits that day would have racked up, but somehow I survived all 3 1/2 years without a single one!

- Throwing everything out of the bottom of my wardrobe, crawling in, closing the doors, and screaming into a pillow when I just needed a moment of introverted alone time. 


- Being so grossed out by the old couch cushions that I only remember sitting on them twice, both right after going running (see why they were gross!). Instead, I always sat in my little pink chair.

One night we set up our unit as if the Rapture had happened during our evening devotions, so of course my clothes were in my pink chair by my favorite owl slippers! (because you know I didn't go barefoot in there either!)

 - Falling asleep with headphones every night my freshman year... Whether they were illegal or not, sleep was a necessity and those girls were LOUD!
 
- Our website filter, Hedgebuilders... And the sad day IT realized we could watch Disney shows online and blocked that website too.
 
- Sagging skirts to make sure those knees stayed covered
 
- Rockstar parking spots in front of Paden

- Dodging bad drivers around town (which was just preparation for life in Greenville)

- So many nights walking on the beach until the last ray of sunlight disappeared
 

- Finishing my last set of finals and graduating from college!!!!

The last "load 'em up and move 'em out" with Daddy and Papa

 - Then I got back home and met this really cute guy who went back down for my graduation... and I'm so thankful that he was part of it!

Clearwater will continue to Impact Eternity through the former faculty, staff and graduates. We were all blessed to be part of this ministry!

(Oh, and let it be said--my college may soon be nonexistent, but there were never any questions about the validity of its academics... other schools which shall remain nameless {coughUNCcough} can't say the same....)

~ Buckwheat