My College Lover ~ Colby Brock

Chapter 18

*June 22, 2026 | College Commencement*
Today, I'll be graduating from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. I have successfully earned my Bachelor's Degree in English & Literature Arts with a focus in Creative Writing after 4 long years at college. From the University of Nevada, Reno to the University of California, Los Angeles, to Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, and finally to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. I went to four different universities over the course of my entire college career. I am quite done with college at this point. Although, I did have an incredible college experience. My first year at UNR cost me $14,968. My first year at UCLA cost me $43,003. My study abroad year at Yonsei University cost me $17,213.04. Last of all, my senior year at University of Hawai'i at Mānoa cost me $34,218. So, my grand total for what I spent on the entirety of all four colleges came out to be a whopping $109,402.04. I'll be paying off student loans for a long time. At least I successfully finished college, even after transferring to 4 different universities. The commencement at University of Hawai'i at Mānoa is a beautiful ceremony. Our campus is located just minutes away from the beach. Ah, I just love Hawaii so much.

The president of University of Hawai'i at Mānoa will be calling students' names alphabetically, by last name first. My last name is Brock, since I'm married to Colby. My name is called relatively early in the Class of 2026. I receive my Bachelor's Degree from the president, as well as my minor degree in Korean Language. I shake hands with the president of the university, then carry my Bachelor's and minor degree to my seat. I place my degrees on my lap as I watch the rest of my class make their walk and graduate college. Once the entire class had graduated, it's time for the graduation party! I am a young mother with priorities, so I might not even go to any graduation parties and instead, head straight home. After the commencement ceremony is over, Colby, Jaspar, and I go out to take some commencement photos. I am also 8 months pregnant, and I'm about to have a baby next month. I have a fairly large baby bump, and turns out, I'm having a baby girl. I'm so excited to be having a girl this time. I suggested to Colby that we name her Julia Aurora Brock. Julia Estrella was my great grandma's name. I take inspiration for naming my daughter after my great grandma, as well as Julia Michaels cause I love that singer so much. Colby loved the name so much that agree that that is the name we're giving our daughter.

*One Month Later, July 22, 2026 | The Birth*
It is my delivery date, and as soon as my water broke, around 9AM, I knew it was time to rush to the hospital and have this baby. Colby drives me from our house to Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Once arriving at the hospital, the nurses and doctors rush me to the labor and delivery room. Colby follows closely in suit. Once arriving to the delivery room, my labor is induced and it's time for me to start pushing this girl out. Both of my births so far have been completely natural, and I haven't had to have a C-section or anything like that, which is good. I'm in labor for 12 straight hours before Julia is finally born. Julia was born on July 22, 2026 at 9:05PM in Honolulu, Hawaii. She has the cutest little button nose, and her eyes are a interesting color. I think she will grow up to have blue eyes, whereas Jaspar has brown eyes. They're siblings, but they have different colored eyes, which is interesting. Once Julia is born, we fill out her birth certificate, and it contains the following information: Julia Aurora Brock. Date of Birth: July 22, 2026. Birth Time: 9:05PM. Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America.

Once Julia is registered, we take her home and she gets to meet her older brother, Jaspar. At this time, Jaspar is 8 months old. Julia and Jaspar are a mere 8 months apart. People may think they're twins when they grow up. Also, Jaspar was born overseas in Seoul, South Korea, whereas Julia was just born here in the States, in Honolulu, Hawaii. That is one of the major differences between them. That Jaspar was born in Korea and Julia was born here in America. Despite this, Jaspar is an American citizen. Anyway, Jaspar is just barely learning how to crawl around on his own. He can't walk yet, but he sure is crawling around a lot. He's a rambunctious little one, and he's quite active. He's baby-talking quite a lot as well. Jaspar sleeps 11 hours a night, and also takes 3-4 hour naps, so it seems like Jaspar is always sleeping. Once taking Julia back home with us, Colby grabs Jaspar from his room. We sit in the living room together and Colby says,
"Jaspar, meet your little sister, Julia."
"Goo." Jaspar gurgles in response.
"This is your little sister, Julia Aurora Brock." I said.
"Ah." Jaspar grunts.
"These two are going to grow up to be best friends." Colby said.
"Yes, that's what I hope." I said.

Jaspar pokes Julia, who is merely a newborn. I laugh as Jaspar pokes Julia again. Eventually, Colby has to stop Jaspar from poking Julia, or he'd accidentally poke her eyes out. Colby takes Jaspar back to his room and he takes his daily nap. I rock Julia to sleep after breastfeeding her. I hold Julia as she sleeps in my arms. Colby comes out to the living room and sees me holding Julia.
"She is such a cutie." Colby said.
"She is." I said.
"She's going to grow up to be just as beautiful as you, babe." Colby said.
"Aww, thanks babe." I said.
For the rest of the day, Colby and I took turns changing Julia's diaper, feeding her, and attending to all her needs as a newborn.