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My Son is a College Graduate!

May 21, 2019 By Denise Schwartz 14 Comments

Drew is now an Illini graduate!

On May 11, 2019, we had the honor of watching Drew graduate from the University of Illinois, College of Engineering in Computer Science.

Our day began in my brother’s borrowed mini van. Steve, Jenna and I picked up my in-laws and my mother and we began the journey to Urbana-Champaign. A usual 2 and a half hour ride, with no stops, became a 3 and a half hour ride with 1 stop, due to heavy rain and multiple traffic issues. We arrived in time to pick up Drew for a late lunch at our favorite breakfast restaurant, The Original Pancake House. It’s our go-to spot for really good omelettes, gluten free blueberry pancakes, and the best bacon.

After lunch, we made a short pit-stop at Drew’s apartment and then we, along with thousands of other people, gathered in the State Farm stadium for the college of engineering graduation. It was a tightly organized event that moved along quickly, naming off the thousand or so diverse graduates from all over the world.

Afterwards, we took a few pictures before picking up dinner and heading back. We arrived home around midnight.

At the end of May, Drew will head to Israel for ten days with Birthright, a Jewish organization that believes every Jewish young adult deserves a free trip to Israel. Then, he’ll be off to Europe by himself for another two weeks or so.

Upon his return back to the states, he will have a month off until the end of July when he will begin his adult life working in Chicago as a software engineer at iManage all while living back at home with us until he is financially ready to move to the city of Chicago.

What can I say about Drew that I haven’t already said in previous blog posts (here, here, and here)?

Well, as his mother and am naturally very biased. I have a lot I could say, but I will keep it brief.

Here are some highlights of Drew’s journey:

  • Drew came into the world on July 13, 1997, happy and smiling. As he got older, we even had his sister, Jenna, try to make him angry to teach him to express anger. He just laughed.

Drew laughing

  • Drew was always building and creating using anything he could find – tape, kleenex boxes, large packing boxes, legos, knex, trains. More than once the entire living room became a train room, entertaining himself for hours.

Drew and Legoland

  • At the age of 11, Drew won a lego contest from the Legoland Discovery center. An exciting PR ploy that had him and 4 other kids on TV numerous times to promote the new Legoland in Schaumburg.

  • Drew went to camp for 5 summers where he embraced the love of water skiing.

Drew skiing

  • At age 12, Drew declared, “I’m really lucky, I know exactly what I’m supposed to do with my life”. At the time he referred to creating and building things – which we now know turned into creating and building computer code.
  • In high school, he discovered swimming, cross country, track, triathlon and computers.

Drew Swimming

  • He chose U of IL, despite not getting into the computer science program, knowing he would have to work hard to meet unbelievably difficult criteria to get into the program. By second semester of his sophomore year, Drew met the criteria and got into the College of Engineering computer science program.
  • Drew fell in love with Victoria this past year, a fellow runner.

Drew Graduates U of I

  • Over the past few years Drew and I have developed a special bond of common interests – The Chicago Botanic Garden, theater, our community library, shopping, The Moth Hour, cooking and travel.

Drew and Denise

  • Drew and his dad enjoy tech talk of all kinds, biking, superhero movies, and Dr. Who

Drew and Dad Biking

My husband and I have watched Drew grow up to be a kind, generous, sweet, and respectful man with his family, friends, girlfriend and anyone else who crosses his path and we know that we can take some credit for the person Drew has become, but he made it easy for us. We are so proud of him.

Congratulations Drew!

Filed Under: Real Stories Tagged With: graduation

About Denise Schwartz

Denise Schwartz, PT, IMT, C is the owner of The Manual Touch Physical Therapy. For over 30 years, she has been helping patients reduce pain and improve quality of life using a whole body approach. Denise specializes in chronic pain, spinal conditions, running/triathlon injuries and prevention, balance/vestibular disorders, functional exercise, kinesiotaping, and various non-traditional and traditional & manual therapies. Contact Denise at denise@themanualtouch.com

Comments

  1. Alice Nixon says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    Hard to believe Drew is all growed up!!!
    Congratulations Drew for all your many accomplishments . You have an exciting future ahead of you. We need men of your caliber in this wacky world to bring all that kindness and wisdom along with your well honed skill set.
    Wishing you all good things !!

    Reply
  2. Sheryl says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:20 pm

    Congratulations to all of you! Great job! Enjoy having Drew around for awhile.

    Reply
  3. Rosalie Epstein says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    Cngratulations Denise and Steve on helping Drew become the fine, loving and accomplished young adult that he has become. You should be very very proud.

    Reply
  4. Beri and John Nass says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:43 pm

    Congratulations to Drew. Congratulations to you and Steven for raising such a beautiful. Every Time I have seen him, he radiates happiness. I am proud to be his aunt. May all endeavors be successful and his life be forever happy. Tell him I hope to see him when he gets home.Tell him to have a great time on his coming travels.

    Reply
  5. Sheila says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    Mazel Tov. What a wonderful journey you all have been on. Here’s to a lifetime of joy, learning and adventure!

    Reply
  6. Michelle Klein says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    Denise,
    I really enjoyed reading all The Wonderful events that took place in Drew’s life this far.
    He is one of The most interesting & intelligent young people I have met!
    Congratulations Drew!!
    Much Love to all!! Michelle

    Reply
  7. Madeline says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:57 pm

    Thank you for sharing Drew’s story and your journey to Urbana and back. So enjoyed meeting him the other day. Feel like I know him a little bit from way back when I would see you almost every week in your office.

    You have a beautiful family. Hats off to you and your husband.
    Madeline

    Reply
  8. Lynn says

    May 23, 2019 at 6:23 pm

    What a great story! Congratulations, Drew!

    Reply
  9. Mara says

    May 23, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    Such a lovely piece about such a special young man. You did good! Reared a gifted, creative and driven young man who is now poised to take on the world – literally!

    Reply
  10. Carol Wikoff says

    May 23, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    Congratulations Denise! What an accomplished kid. May he continue us to bring you joy… without the minivan!!!

    Best,

    Carol Wikoff

    Reply
  11. Maxine Solomon says

    May 23, 2019 at 9:08 pm

    Congratulations to all of you!!!!

    Reply
  12. Betty and Chris Bagat says

    May 24, 2019 at 10:07 pm

    Congratulations Drew! Enjoy your travels!

    Reply
  13. Denise Gruensfelder says

    May 26, 2019 at 12:59 am

    Congratulations to all of you! Especially Drew for all of his accomplishments! Best wishes to Drew on his upcoming adventures!

    Reply

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Testimonials

I saw Denise at The Manual Touch recently for sciatic pain, that only the day before I saw Denise kept me from walking; I could only hobble for short distances before I would sit down and collapse. After some tissue work and gentle exercise with Deni… Read more
https://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/m-d-evanston-il
I was in Florida for vacation and developed an upper respiratory infection. I had annoying coughing and congestion in my chest. This went on for several days, and it was not getting better. It felt like I had a mucous plug stuck in my chest that woul… Read more
https://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/a-b-riverwoods
The best physical therapist I’ve ever experienced is Denise Schwartz in Wheeling at the Manual Touch. I have seen Denise twice for over 6 months to treat 2 bouts of frozen shoulder that occurred 8 years apart. In addition to my shoulder, she has also… Read more
https://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/b-h-elmhurst-il
As a young elite athlete I was involved in numerous accidents resulting in scar tissue causing loss of flexibility and restrictions as an adult. After each treatment I feel so much less restriction and experience greater range of motion.
https://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/s-northbrook-il
Last winter our daughter Maddie had had several eye and ear infections, and all required topical and oral antibiotics.  These were instigated by a plugged tear duct.  A pediatric ophthalmologist said there was little chance the duct would open up o… Read more
The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return… Read more
Just a note to thank you for the time you spent with me Saturday in evaluating my running technique and body alignment.  Your suggestions are already making sense and having an early impact.  After our meeting, I went out for a 5K run and found you… Read more
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Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
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