October 11th. This day was a day that Jace and I had an imaginary red circle around on the calendar. It would be the day the Tennessee bar results would be released. So much has happened since Jace took the Bar exam: we got married, went on a honeymoon, left our homes, created a new home in Gainesville, Jace started his LLM program, I started working for UF, etc. etc. etc.
Even though all the changes and major events, Jace couldn't close the law school chapter of his life until he knew the results of the Bar exam. Surviving law school is one thing but passing the Bar is a whole other story. Hence the reason why we were so anxious to for October 11th.
I fervently starting praying about the Bar exam after our MS friends found out their scores. Thankfully, all of them passed and we congratulated them and were, and still are, so proud of their accomplishment. As excited as we were for them, we knew we had another 3 or so weeks of waiting. I prayed for patience and understanding for both Jace and I. Over the years we have gotten pretty good about waiting around for things but it doesn't make the wait any easier.
I was so proud of Jace because the week before the results would be released I thought he would be extremely anxious and it would consume his every thought. However, he was calm. It wasn't until the night before/day of that he and I were READY to get the scores. On Friday morning, I rolled over and found Jace wide awake at 5 AM. He said he was ready to get the day going and I couldn't blame him. He stayed in bed as long as he could stand it and then jumped out and started his day.
I got up quickly after he left for school because I knew that I had to get all my errands done before 4 PM, the time we thought results would be released. I told Jace before he left that day to call me the second he knew his results and then to call his momma. I literally stayed by my phone all morning. He called me at 10:30 AM and I screamed "Did you pass?". He said he didn't know anything and was just calling me because he got out of class. Lord, it scared me to death. I got all worked up and found out we were still playing the waiting game. I asked him how he was doing and he said it was the closest he had felt to nausea in a long time. I could tell just by talking to him that if given the chance, he would have chose to pace the rest of the day until the email came through. Now, pacing makes me incredibly nervous and I was ever so happy that we were not together at this particular moment in time.
Around 11:00ish he called me back, I jumped at the phone and answered. When I picked up there was a long pause and then I heard, "you are married to an attorney!". I screamed and probably made some neighbors mad but it is not every day that your husband passes the Bar. We shared in the good news and I told Jace how proud of I was of him. We both knew there were several people we needed to call and text before making it "Facebook official". After calling and telling the people we love the most, I put the status up about Jace passing the bar and the status has gotten more likes than when we got married or engaged! Jace felt the love all day from friends and family and it was just an overall good day.
Jace decided to take the rest of the day off and we hung out and spent time together Friday afternoon. Jace requested chili and brownies for his celebratory meal even though I suggested a nice steak dinner. Jace is not one to make a big fuss over his accomplishments or draw attention to himself. He is a humble one; however, he married a girl that likes to celebrate both big and little things in life. In the end the celebratory steak dinner won out in the end and we had a nice dinner together. At dinner that night I told Jace that we would eat like attorneys; however, the next night we will go back to eating like law students!
Throughout Friday, we reflected on Jace's journey to this huge accomplishment. We remembered the terrible first round of the LSAT, the second round of the LSAT and praying that it would be good enough to get into law school. The blessing it was to be accepted into law school and praying that he would not only survive, but that our relationship would too. We prayed during finals and survived one too many rough semesters and way too many weeks apart. We praised God when he walked across that stage and earned his Juris Doctorate. We prayed throughout the entire summer for focus and strength as he studied for the exam. We prayed during the two days of the exam and rejoiced when it was over. We prayed that it was in God's will for Jace to be a TN attorney and rejoiced when it was official.
Thinking back on the numerous stages and steps it took to get to October 11th makes me realize that with hard work, focus, determination, and dedication you can reach your dreams. Hard work does pay off. Jace is a living example of that for me. He makes me want to work harder and he pushes me to become better, personally and professionally.
I know the Bible says you shouldn't be proud and boast but maybe God can find an exception this time. Lee, I am so proud of you! You accomplished your dream of becoming an attorney and didn't let set backs stifle your dream. You are good at what you do, always have your client's best interest at heart, and don't give yourself enough credit. You know tax law better than anyone I know and you found a niche in which you shine. How did a girl who barely survived pre-cal in high school end up with a guy who knows tax codes and regs like the back of his hand? By the grace of God that is how! I love you Jace A. Stamper, Attorney-at-Law!
