This one's going to be emotional.

Last weekend was a big one.

Our older daughter Gabby just graduated from college. 

It was SO FUN for my wife Becky and I to both to see her all weekend, attend the graduation in person and celebrate all she accomplished: 

• Double major with distinction from Duke, 
• 3.9+ GPA, 
• Published peer-reviewed research and 
• A full time job starting in August.
  
  

I was so excited I invented a new dad move. 

Here's a photo of what I'm calling The Big Squeezer.

There was a LOT to celebrate. 

A lot for a dad to be proud of. 

We didn't talk much about Gabby's accomplishments as we spent the weekend with her. 

We all reflected on her effort:

• When Gabby was down about a C grade she got in her first semester, she doubled down on her studying. She never got lower than an A- again. 
  Gabby built the skill of getting up every day and doing the work.
• Gabby lost out on an internship she really wanted after her Sophomore year. Devastating. She put her ego aside and asked the hiring professor for feedback. That told her what they looked for. She changed her approach and landed the same internship the next summer. 
  Gabby learned how to turn a loss into her next win.
• As a big-time introvert, Gabby was scared to be in front of a group. She applied for a Teacher's Assistant job so she'd be forced to teach classes, slowly getting more comfortable and in the end, enjoying teaching.
  Gabby saw how quickly she can turn fear into progress.
• Gabby got the opportunity to help with some research and volunteered to write the first draft for the academic journal. She spent dozens of hours putting it together and perfecting the paper. The professors hardly had to edit her writing at all. Blown away, they added her as a core researcher to the paper. 
  Gabby learned going above and beyond can create your own luck.

Whoa!

Last weekend was amazing. 

I couldn't be prouder as a father. 

Proud of Gabby's accomplishments. 

Proud of her results. 

But what I'm most proud of?

How hard she worked to build her skills.

There's no doubt in my mind:

Growing our skills is the best investment we can make.

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