DEAR ABBY: I'm 43 and went back to school the nontraditional way. I will graduate soon with my master of human services degree. I will be the first person in my immediate family to have a degree.
My best friend thinks I'm foolish because I posed for graduation photos and ordered a class ring. She said I am too old to be having graduation pictures and a ring. I was thrilled to have them, but now I'm wondering if I really am being foolish. Am I trying to recapture the "would have/could have/should have" years? -- ED IN LOUISIANA
DEAR ED: Shame on your friend for raining on your parade. With a best friend like this, you should never forget to bring an umbrella.
You're celebrating the fact that as a nontraditional student you have earned your master's degree. That's a laudable accomplishment and deserves to be celebrated in any way you would like. Please accept my sincere congratulations, graduate!