Match Day--Full Report

Monday was the much-anticipated "Match Day" when our fate for the next two years was announced by a computer.

Ryan woke up to some celebratory donuts, provided by his thoughtful wife:

Yum

I had taken the day off of school, so I could be Ryan's morning patient and be there with him to hear the news.  I'm so glad I did because it was really exciting and fun to be with him.  We checked the email several times in the morning, and then we decided (to prevent obsession and stress) that we wouldn't check again until we got to the clinic.  About an hour later, in the car outside the clinic, Ryan checked one more time and saw the email in his Inbox: "Match Results."

This photo was taken just before he opened the email:

He looks a little anxious...

When he read The Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, we were both completely flabbergasted.  We kept saying, "What??" and looking at the email again and saying "What???"  The program in Denver is very intense, as was the interviewer, and Ryan didn't think they would want him there.  Apparently, he was wrong!

We went into the clinic, and I got to watch as Ryan told his friends the news, and they all hugged and congratulated him.  It brought a slight tear to my eye.  I am proud of Ry, and I'm so grateful that he's worked with such wonderful friends these past four years.

Then I got the best cleaning I've ever had from the cutest dentist I've ever seen:

Such a lovely photo of me.

All done!

After my cleaning, we promptly rushed to find our friend Dave Majeroni in the ortho clinic.  When we moved to Buffalo, Dave was starting his fourth year of dental school and applying for the orthodontics specialty.  My first day in Buffalo, I helped him with his application essay and resume.  Our families became fast friends, and Dave has been Ryan's mentor the past four years.  He has talked through the ups and downs of dental school with Ryan; he has helped him with lab work and procedures that Ry didn't understand; he has encouraged Ryan in his dream to become a pedodontist and even gave Ryan a practice interview and some pointers.

Dave was thrilled to hear Ryan's news.  (And for those of you who know Dave, you can imagine that his reaction was the best of the day--Dave is incredibly enthusiastic.)

Dave is about ten feet tall.

Ryan headed off to a Match Day luncheon, and I went home to try to brainstorm ideas for our party that evening.  It was not easy to come up with theme food and decorations for my home state, but I did the best I could:

The state flag is a table cloth, pillow cases, hand towel, and wash cloth.

You may notice some "Denver mints" and "Denver nuggets."  We also had Mile-High Mud Pie (not pictured because it was in the freezer).  And our crowning theme drink of the evening: Coors Beer!

Now, lest you think we are heathen Mormons, I invite you to take a closer look:

Before you judge, read the sign...

Not to worry, friends!  It's root beer!  I bought packs of Mug root beer, printed out the Coors logo online and taped it onto the cans.  It looked remarkably real, and it did give me a chuckle to see a member of our Bishopric with a "cold one" in his hand.  I hope no one was offended!  I have never tasted Coors beer, but the "Coors" root beer was quite delicious.

Speaking of that Bishopric member, his wife brought an eclair cake in the shape of Colorado...can you tell?  

The little red flag marks Denver 

It was an exciting day from start to finish. 

We are blessed.