Small Group Beta.

Tonight I met with Small Group Beta for our biweekly small group session. Now that they are nearing the end of their fourth year, our meetings have become more social than anything else. Now we have what we affectionately call our "family dinners" instead. We meet up. We catch up. We laugh. And, if necessary, we might even cry.

The rule for our family dinners has been simple: Make every effort to be there if you can (as in not on a residency interview or on call.) Let us know if you can't be there. Know that we'll miss you if you aren't there.

Yep.

And you know? It's worked. Everyone stuck to the rule. Everyone made it a priority.

 That said, like many large families, sometimes it's hard to get all nine family members in one place at the same time. Still we've been fortunate because every time someone couldn't come, it was for a very good reason. Which means that most of the time, nearly everyone is there. And it's comfortable and easy and respectful.  No, not perfect. Just . . .right. Like a family should be.

Yep.

It's April. Which means that next month is May. And May is commencement month. The month that all but three of "The Incredibles" of SG Beta will graduate and move on to their residencies. Admittedly, the mother in me is relieved for the Masters degrees and research opportunities that have delayed some of them. We agreed to continue having family dinners and to also keep plates warming in the oven for the others should they pass through as hungry interns next year.

This part is so bittersweet, man. Sitting out on that patio with them tonight felt so perfect and right. All I kept thinking about was how unbelievably fortunate I am to be in a position to build these longitudinal relationships with students--particularly those in my small groups. And after seeing Small Group Alpha graduate back in 2011, I know to savor these moments all the more.

Yep.

Here is what I know for sure:  I'm going to deeply, deeply miss them when they graduate. I already do. But the other thing I learned from my first small group is that these ties that bind us are not easily broken. As long as the porch light stays on they can always find their way back home. And when it's least expected, I'll be placing a warm plate in front of them at the kitchen table.

Just like old times.

My job is magnificent. It is.

***
Happy Late Monday.

Here's a video montage made up of several iPhone snapshots (and even some video!) starting from our very first day meeting in 2009 all the way to Match Day 2013.  This journey included countless meetings, family dinners, mean mugs, an epic road trip in a ginormous van, and lots more. The song playing on this video is the one on my mental iPod. . . . Madonna singing "Beautiful Stranger."  Why? Because I knew on that first day I met them back in their first year that these beautiful strangers would eventually become a family. 

You know what? I was right.

Small Group Beta from Kimberly Manning on Vimeo.