Dr. Luke Erichsen

When Luke returned from his mission in May 2008, he faced what most newly returned missionaries face: uncertainty. "What should I do next?" Many are able to jump right back into college, wherever they left off. Others can at least jump right back into their social lives, reconnecting with high school friends who are still around. Neither of these was an option for Luke. He had already finished his undergraduate degree prior to his mission, AND we moved from Washington to Montana the year after he graduated from high school, so he had never really lived there. Instead, he spent the next year researching and applying to PhD psychology programs around the country. He wanted a fully-funded program; that is, he didn't want to pay any money or take out any loans. Needless to say, such programs are highly competitive. Who doesn't want to go get a PhD where the school pays your tuition and gives you a modest living stipend in addition?

It was a long and laborious process, including lengthy applications and cross-country trips for personal interviews, so when the acceptance letter arrived from Indiana University, we were over the moon ecstatic! Well, all except one of us, that is. There was a certain little boy, just shy of nine years old, who didn't quite share our excitement. Apparently, he missed the memo about Luke pursuing a graduate degree in a different state. Or more accurately, there was no memo. No one had bothered to tell him. In his mind, people go to college, and then they come home. Then they go on missions, and then they come home. And that is all! Luke had already done BOTH those things, so Seth was under the impression he would remain at home forever.

It was the saddest.

In the midst of our joyous celebration, our little Seth crumbled to the floor as the tears overflowed: "He already went to college!!!!! He does not need to go again! Why does everyone always leave?" Oh my. My poor little baby. He survived, and in the fall of 2009, Luke moved to Bloomington, Indiana and began his doctoral program, which would be three years of coursework plus two years of dissertation work and internship. The culmination of all this effort would be this past weekend at commencement exercises.

Gerald, Shulamith, Swen, and I traveled to Indiana to attend. And we faced what all those who travel with toddlers face: uncertainty. Swen is just two weeks shy of his second birthday, so this was his final opportunity to fly unticketed as a "lap baby." We had no idea what to expect. It could have been so bad. Here he is at the airport before boarding.

And then just after we boarded. It was all new and exciting at this point.

But even through two flights en route to Indy and another two coming home, he really did so incredibly well. I've flown with toddlers many times, and it's never been this easy. Sadly, we did have some less-than-enthusiastic co-travelers. Like the boy (maybe 8 or 9 years old) sitting in front of us on the first flight. He was apparently horribly bothered by Swen, who occasionally kicked the back of the seat. Really, kid? He's two. TWO! You were two not all that long ago. He kept turning around and saying, "Can you make him stop kicking?" to which I shook my head and replied, "No." Then there was the guy who sat next to us on our final flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth yesterday. I finally got Swen to sleep on my lap (because his mother doesn't really have a lap these days), and we were so relieved because he needed sleep so badly, but apparently my arm was half an inch over in this guy's "space." He kept nudging me. Like pushing on my arm. Be assured; I held my ground. We were not about to wake this sleeping child.

Can I just take this opportunity to tell you how I feel about all this? We were all babies once, and one day, most of us will be old. So while we are in the middle, if we can't have patience and tolerance for those on either end, we seriously need to reexamine our character. End of rant.

Besides earning his doctorate degree, Luke's five years in Indiana have been life changing personally. He met and married his sweetheart, Désirée. Here is a picture of their family.

And here are a few more random pictures taken over the weekend.

Swen and Mom (despite her very best effort to get him to call her "Mommy" or even "Mama"). Nope, it's "Da Da and Mom." Throughout the three days we were gone, Swen apparently missed just two people: his father and his dog. Several conversations like this occurred:

Swen: Badabadagagabadaba............Da Da?

Terrianne: Da Da is at home. You will see him soon.

Swen: Badabadagagabadaba.............Titty (Kitty)?

Terrianne: Kitty is home. You will see her soon.

Swen: Oh, Da Da. Oh, Titty. Oh no!

Swen and Désirée

Luke and Swen and Evelyn

Swen and I

Earning a PhD is no easy task. I would love one myself (Dr. Webster sounds way cool, ya think?), but in reality I won't likely ever put forth the tremendous effort required to have one. My master's degree will have to be enough. We are proud of Luke for this great accomplishment.