I’ve never had a graduation party. I recognize they aren’t necessary, but they were semi-customary within my community — and even within my family, as my parents threw my sister multiple grad parties during my childhood. For a number of legitimate reasons, my family never planned anything to celebrate those milestones for me, beyond at least one parent being at the ceremony itself.
I’m approaching graduation from law school after four years of night school while working full time, and I made an offhand comment to my mother that it would be nice to have a small graduation party with family. Her general demeanor has made me feel as if my accomplishment itself doesn’t matter unless I can plan every last detail.