Chapter 68

It was Friday morning, the day of graduation and rehearsal dinner.

CAN: "Bebek, are you okay? You look nervous."

SANEM: "I'm fine, a little nervous but good, but I have to get going, I'll meet you there okay, we start at eleven."

CAN: "don't worry princess, we will all be there on time." Sanem drove Can's car to the university and Can and the rest of the family were going to go together.

They all got there waiting for the commencement to start. Can was so proud of her.

NIHAT: "son, I see a huge smile on your face, you look very proud of our Sanem."

CAN: "uncle Nihat, I am very proud, she's amazing, she's been through so much, and she still manages to finish at the top of her class, honestly I don't know how she did it, she's one of a kind." Nihat sees the tears in Can's eyes and sees the love he has for her, he is so happy that the girls found their true loves, and a good family, his brother and sister in law would be proud, for sure.

The ceremony had begun, there were a lot of speeches, it was towards the end when the dean of the university got up to speak."

DEAN: "ladies and Gentleman, it's been an amazing year, for all our students, each one of them are exceptional in their own way, and we're very proud of them all. Every year we pick one graduate to give the final speech. This year I am honored to bring up here to the podium a young woman, a top of her class graduate who has had some difficulties in life, but she managed to exceed all expectations, ladies and gentleman may I introduce to you Sanem Aydin!!"Everyone started clapping.

The family all looked at each other, they were shocked, surprised. And so proud.

MEVCABI: "Can, did you know?"

CAN: "no, she didn't say a word, god auntie, I love your niece!!" Mevcabi smiled and padded Can on the back.

Sanem went and stood on stage at the podium, and looks over at Can, to give her confidence and who she loves with her heart and soul. And looks at the rest of the family who she loves so much.

SANEM: "good morning everyone, I feel honored being selected to say the final speech, I will not hold you to long because I know everyone wants to celebrate their accomplishments . I came to this university a young girl and I am Leaving here as an educated woman. All my life I grew up in a the Mahalle, which for a girl it's very difficult, education isn't much of an option, it's either work or marriage. but my life took a turn when my parents died in a car accident, my aunt and uncle took us in, things were hard for them raising two young girls they worked hard to support us, but the money wasn't coming in. So I decided to leave and live in the city in a group home for girls. (Her aunt and uncle looked at each other, they couldn't believe what she did) I took odd jobs to support myself, it wasn't easy, that I can tell you, I struggled, There were times where I wanted to give up. But somehow , with gods grace, I got back up on my feet and pushed myself, to better myself ".

MEVCABI: "Can, did you know?"he nodded yes.

SANEM: "I applied for scholarships, and I got them, and I entered this university feeling so proud of myself, a poor girl from the Mahalle, who would have thought".

She went on and told everyone a little more of her story.

" the point of my story is, it doesn't matter where you come from, rich , poor, or middle class, if you really want too, you can accomplish anything you want, dream, it's okay to dream, sometimes dreams do come true, I know mine did. (She looks at Can and then her family.) in life you can't do anything without hard work and sacrifice. But it's okay, because it's the end results that matter.

I want to thank my rock, Can, (she looks at him and smiles brightly) without you and your support I couldn't have done what I did, you always support me in everything I do. And to my aunt and uncle who practically raised me after my parents passed, I want thank you from the bottom of my heart you took in my sister Leyla and I at the most difficult time of our lives, loosing our parents, and to top it, being teenagers I know it wasn't easy, especially with me. ( she laughed) I know we were a handful. ( her aunt and uncle start laughing with tears in their eyes, that's for sure) but thank you for molding us into the women we are today. And to the rest of my beautiful family Emre and Leyla, thank you, I love you all, and thank you for supporting me and looking out for me. Miriban, Aziz, you saved me, thank you for giving me a job when I needed it the most, and looking out for me. You both changed my life forever and for the better. ( she pauses and looks at the graduates) So the point of my speech is. Dream, don't be scared to take a chance, even if you fail the first time, your young, get back on your feet and try again, because dreams do come true, just have some faith, some might take a little longer but good things happen when you work hard, and appreciate the people around you, especially those who support and love you! Thank you all and congratulations to everyone.!! They all took their hats and threw them in the air and they gave Sanem a standing ovation. Her family is beaming with pride, the woman have tears in their eyes. Can is so proud of her he's about to explode, he's clapping and whistling!!! So are Emre and Aziz and Nihat."

Can and the rest of the family were waiting for Sanem outside in the park area of the university.

She sees her family and starts walking towards them, Can picks her up and turns her around, he winces a little from the pain, brings her down and kisses her.

SANEM: "Can, are you okay, you're going to hurt yourself."can is smiling ear to ear he's so proud of her

CAN: "Bebek, I don't care, I love you and I'm so proud of you, you have no idea how proud I am of you."

She smiles and hugs him, "I think I do, I love you Can Divit" "and I love you Sanem Divit" and they kiss again, and the family starts laughing and saying come on Can stop hogging her up we all want to congratulate her. Which they did, they were all very proud of her.

They all went back to the Divit home where Miriban and Mevcabi prepared lunch.

MEVCABI: "Sanem were so proud of you, I'm sorry you felt that you had to leave." She had tears in her eyes. Sanem goes over and hugs her aunt and uncle.

SANEM: "don't be sorry, because if I wouldn't have left I would have never met my one and only and she looks at Can." He goes over and gives her a hug.

CAN: "Sanem Aydin, tomorrow, we will be one , I can't wait." He hugs her and kisses her hard and everyone starts clapping.

MEVCABI: "okay it's time for us to go and get ready for rehearsal tonight. See everyone tonight!!"

Rehearsal went well, Can and Sanem were inseparable all night, they decided to invite there closed friends and family to the Divit home for rehearsal dinner, Miriban had everything catered, CeCe was playing DJ all night. Can and Emre were practicing their Turkish dancing along with Leyla and Sanem, the girls and the rest of the guest couldn't stop laughing, Can and Emre were making up their own moves.

SANEM: "Can, (laughing hard) Can, stop, I can't stop laughing." He looks at her and smiles and pulls her into his arms.

CAN: "good, this is the way I always want to see you, laughing, my love." CeCe put a slow song on for the couple to dance. And then they pulled Emre and Leyla in to dance to.

SANEM: "Can, (she gives him a kiss) I'm staying at my aunt and uncle's tonight with Leyla, I'm going to miss you."

CAN: "I kind of figured you would be there tonight. That's ok it will be worth it to see you in your wedding gown, I know you are going to look beautiful."

They feel someone tugging at their legs. They look down and it's Bella. Can picks her up and they both give her a kiss on the cheek, Can and Sanem are holding her and dancing, and Bella lays her head on Can's shoulder. Sanem just smiled. Can is going to be a great father one day.

SANEM: "Bella, do you like your princess dress for tomorrow."

BELLA: "it's beautiful Nemi, me look like you a princess." Sanem smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

CAN: "see even Bella knows you're a princess."

Bella's father took Bella out of can's arms so the couple could dance.

SANEM: "Can, new beginnings tomorrow, right, me and you."

CAN: "absolutely, my love." He kisses her and holds her until the music stops.

The night was ending and Sanem was going to go home with her aunt and uncle. She didn't want to leave, but she knew that tomorrow they would be tied together for the rest of their lives.

SANEM: "good night my love. See you tomorrow. Love you."

CAN: " good night, love you too, sweet dreams."

Leyla and Sanem stayed up most of the night talking about everything that's happened in their lives, they laughed and shed some tears together.

LEYLA: "Sanem, we are blessed aren't we, I'm so happy for you and for myself"

SANEM: "me too Abla, I can't wait for you to get married in a couple of months, you are going to make a beautiful bride."

MEVCABI: "girls are two still awake?"

Both at the same time "yes we are auntie"

Their aunt comes into Sanem's room and sits in between them.

"Girls, I'm so happy for you both, you both have chosen well. Good family and the boys are going to be good husbands, I have no doubt, and of course I can't wait to be a grandmother, don't take to long Sanem, now that I'm young enough and I can help."

Both girls start laughing, and Mevcabi squeezes them both in a tight hug and kisses both of them on their cheek. " now girls get some sleep tomorrow is a big day and we have a lot to do when we get up, good night my girls and sweet dreams and May god protect you all."

The girls layed in their beds thinking how their lives changed for the better. Feeling blessed they both fell asleep with smiles on their faces, and feeling content.