Last night was an extravaganza of Ellett proportions. Pepper’s graduation from high school. The lovely Meyerson, where the Dallas Symphony Orchestra plays, is where her graduation was held Tuesday night. My mom, Jordan, and three of our closest family friends showed up to congratulate her. Skeptical on whether she would even show up, I didn’t get my hopes up. But, proving me wrong, Pepper surprised us, showed up, and did it “art school” style: gladiator sandals, gown, nothing underneath.

The ceremony was one of the most beautiful graduation ceremonies I have ever sat through. Every cluster from her arts magnet school performed: dance, theater, music, visual arts. It was a wonderful, moving ceremony (minus the giving of diplomas deal), and I even got the chance to see my grandma and my Aunt Judy and dad while I was there. Having our whole family back together again, though in separate parts of the symphony center, was such a nice treat for me.

The night progressed as the ladies all headed to Maggianos for some late-night Italian. Naturally, we shut the place down. After getting there at 10 PM, we didn’t end up leaving until 1 AM, an hour of which was spent trying to figure out how to get Pepper’s keys out of her locked car. Overall, it was a good night, but after waking up at 5:30 AM to go to work this morning, I can safely say that I wish we had left from dinner sooner. Congrats Peppi, and good luck at SMFA in Boston!