Match Day!

March 16 took f...o...r...e...v...e...r  to get here, but it did not disappoint! Four years ago, when Caleb was accepted into Medical School, I did not even know about this thing called Match Day, or residency, for that matter. 

So on Friday, everyone in his class was handed an envelope. Inside was their acceptance letter to the residency program they matched with.

 At 11am, across the country, every medical student could tear open their letter and find out where they had a job! If they wanted to wait and open their envelope at the podium in front of everyone, then they are extra cool. Caleb, being extra cool, waited to open his at the podium.

I really can't explain how TENSE the entire room was as everyone was waiting for the clock to strike eleven. You could wade through the anxiety in the room- it was palpable. Since Caleb was holding on to his envelope until his name was called to go to the podium, we were able to experience the thrill of our friend opening hers!

She is staying in Mobile, which is what she was hoping for! Yay!

Every student was called one by one to go up on stage and announce where they matched. It was so emotional watching all our friends announce where they are moving! Everyone is going across the country, from Santa Barbara, CA to Greenville, SC. 

Every student puts $5 in a hat when they go to the podium, and the last person to be called gets all the money. Caleb was fourth to last- we were so close!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Since he waited to open his envelope on stage, we truly had no idea where he matched. 

Caleb received a categorical surgery spot here in MOBILE! Praise God! Surgery was extremely competitive this year; in fact, after the match there were only 2 surgery spots unfilled across the country. That is crazy.

Once you announce where you matched, you put a pin in the map. We're proud to add our pin to Mobile, AL. I love that this is a tradition. It was cool to see the map at the end and see how spread out everyone is about to be.

Here's the lucky winner of the pool money whose name was called last. LUCKY!

Much celebrating!

 

 

 

 

 

After everyone had announced where they matched, a big group of us went out to the causeway for a huge lunch. 

The weather was perfect and it was such a relaxing way to finish out the tense, nerve-wracking day. 

 

Here's further proof that I am turning into the crazy "Grammar Lady." I spot errors everywhere!

I'm glad Match Day is behind us and we can start planning for our next five years here in Mobile. We love it here and could not be happier.