It was my last day at work. I had looked forward to this day with anticipation, yet it did not feel ‘real’ to me. A delicious cake had been baked in honor of this, my last day. There were meetings with both my immediate department co-workers and peers from other areas on campus. Everyone was pleasant, gracious and offered genuine good wishes for my future. My plans were to be picked up from work; go home and finish packing up the kitchen; doctor’s appointment in the morning; spend the night with friends; and the next morning head out on our cross-country move. Even with all those plans, it still felt like ‘just another day’ and I could not understand why! At the end of the day Tom arrived to help me carry things out of my office. Our car was nowhere to be seen. Instead he directed me to where a limo was parked. I was shocked. Tom reminded me I previously said, “I’ve never ridden in a limo.” I was a little surprised, but figured we would just take a limo ride. After the door opened and a car full of my friends yelled “SURPRISE” I was speechless. Even thinking of that afternoon leaves my eyes moist. It was an amazing time! We shared great appetizers from the Black Sheep restaurant with Champaign, stories, laughter and memories. My retirement felt ‘real’ for the first time in the limo with my friends. …and we made even more memories together. Every one was returned to their car. We went home and I completed packing up the kitchen. The limo ride with friends created a wonderful transitional highlight to mark the beginning of my retirement. That ride celebrating with friends made my retirement ‘real’ to me. That afternoon ride also taught me the truth about limos. Riding in a limo is not the big deal nor is just for important people; it is who you ride in the limo with and what you share that make it a big deal! Now when I see a limo, I wonder what and how the people inside are celebrating. It is friends who make life ‘real’! To my friends – again, thank you for the memories!