Marking the end of residency

Just an idea....but after being living in different cities, moving, etc, a family-centric day would be nice. Maybe a favorite activity like going for a short hike, a drive to a nice spot nearby -- just something fun to do away from the stress of residency.

[Flynn]

Here's what I did...

Since we had two more years of fellowship it seemed to be cheating to celebrate too much (and expensive). With that being said and other than the very nice dinner the program puts on for the chiefs, I did do something memorable.

I contacted people (I can't remember how many) DH loved and respected (family, special friends, etc.) and asked them to write a letter or a card to him in to recognize this milestone in DH's professional and personal life. I specified it could be as simple as "congrats" and as long as "I remember when..."

I gave the people 6 weeks to write their "tokens" and put them all in a big box with an amazing bow on it. After the fancy dinner from the department, I gave it to him and he spent over an hour opening and reading them all. I think he had about 35 total. The comments and cards were very special -- it was a great moment for us to share together and for people to recognize the time in DH's life without feeling like they had to get a gift. (Had I not asked them to do this, I think all DH would have received from his family would have been a late phone call. THEY ARE SO CLUELESS SOMETIMES!!!! OH -- and his Dad's letter was a week late. ) It was a win - win and DH really loved it. He kept all the cards and letters.

I will do something else when we are done with fellowship in a little over a year -- probably a party or something like that. We'll see.