Jackson,
Mississippi.
The city where the Doc matched for residency.
It will be our place of abode for the next 5 years.
Yesterday was match day, supposedly at 9 a.m. The Doc stepped out of class and called me. Beginning at 8:50 a.m., we both sat, ears glued to phones and eyes glued to computers.
Time stood still. It was the longest 10 minutes. We barely spoke. Our anxiety turned to disbelief when at 9:03 the email still hadn't arrived. I started laughing hysterically, probably out of nervousness, thinking about hundreds of students across the U.S. sitting in front of their computers, biting nails with no email in sight. Of course, the Doc's phone was buzzing with texts. "Did I send my email address to the right place? Have you heard anything? Does this mean we didn't match?" And the fears kept growing.
Around 9:15 the Doc had to go back to class. It then became my job to stare. I wanted to go blogging but with every blog I opened, my heart skipped a beat thinking the email may arrive. My phone was buzzing with texts too. Isn't it strange how 1 minute can seem like 1 hour when waiting on news?
And there it was. 9:30 a.m. "Congratulations, you have matched to..." A real cliff hanger. It was all I could do to not click on that unfinished sentence but we had agreed on finding out together. Part team work and part fear of reading our fate. I hurriedly sent a text to him saying, "it's here." (What did we do before technology?)
He called. "OPEN IT!"
Now we know. And the number one question asked over and over by friends was, "Are you happy?"
Yes, I am. Yes, we are.
And just fyi, most medical students do not receive their match via email. The national match day is in March. A few highly competitive programs, such as urology, go early so those who don't match can compete in March. Thankful that Doc was one of 274 who matched out of 600+ applicants.
Thank you so much to all who have encouraged me and sent prayers along the journey. I value our friendship.
I'm breathing in your excitement! Blessings to you!
ReplyDeletexoRebecca
A new adventure for you and your family! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Sweetie...now...BREATHE! Thinking of you...With all my love! Loretta
ReplyDeleteI had chills reading this post Tammy! I can only imagine what it was like....WAITING!!! Congrats to you both! I know it will be a fabulous residency!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you!! :)
Lou Cinda
Tammy, I was thinking of you yesterday - imagining exactly the scenario you described! :-) Congratulations to the Doc that all his hard work won him a chance to "go first" -- and to you both for now knowing where you're headed. Jackson, Mississippi is a lovely place to visit, so I can only imagine it will be a great place to live. Can't wait to hear more! (BTW, I'm so glad you finally posted this update. Every time I went by the computer I checked to see if there was news yet.)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. You know the first thing I thought of? That Johnny Cash song "I'm going to Jackson." How silly is that? I am both happy and relieved for you. Now you know. The wait is over. What an exciting chapter...take a deep breath. This is quite an accomplishment for your husband. When do you have to be there?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! How nice to now know what the next thing is--or where it is. I've spent some time there and think it would be an interesting place to live.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! Gosh, with this post, all that was missing was the popcorn!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the match!! I hear that that is a beautiful place. I can't wait to hear more about it and good luck and have fun!
ReplyDeletexoxox
Congratulations and Welcome to the Magnolia State from a native Mississippian!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your family!, UMC is top notch!! I grew up in Jackson and live an hour from there now.
ReplyDeleteGlad the waiting is over so now you can move ahead.
If you need anything I will help.
Susan
I was hanging on, too.. grin..
ReplyDeleteOur daughter went to Jackson College for a year... She loved the city and the whole experience was wonderful for a young Canadian girl..
God bless...
Congrats. Jackson is a beautiful place. We visited on day a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteI just opened my blog (got home last night at 1:00 am from my trip) and saw you had news...I have been thinking of you!!! I am very happy for you. That is a beautiful part of the country. I know you will love it there and find an amazing place to call home! Hugs to you!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that is wonderful news! I am so happy for you...off to a new adventure! I hope to not loose track of you! :D
ReplyDeleteGuess I can come to Mississippi to visit instead of Georgia. Ha!
ReplyDeleteCongrats girl as you and your family have been in my thoughts as to where GOD would place you all.
Take care,
Viola
Congratulations! I have never been there but heard it is beautiful!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
That's great! Congrats to you, the Doc & your family as you begin this new adventure.
ReplyDeleteIs he specializing in Urology? I worked in an office of 3 urologists before I had my kids. Fun times!
Welcome to our state!
ReplyDeleteNow you must go to Lorman, MS and eat the best fried chicken Alton Brown has ever eaten at The Old Country Store. We hope to get there some day. Congratulations on your hubs new assignment!
ReplyDeleteMy home state, Mississippi! I love Mississippi, and you will, too. So many fond memories there. Happy for you.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad you were matched and get to go to a place that you don't dislike. I can't wait to see how the move goes and how fun it will be exploring your new town.
ReplyDelete~Shanon
Great news! You'll have to start working on your drawl and perfecting SWEET TEA! ;) I know God will bless your time in Jackson. Enjoy the ride, my friend!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have found out where you will be going. I think you will like it.
ReplyDeleteGreat news for you and the Doc. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteOh...I'm so excited for y'all!!! Yes...y'all:) This is a wonderful post...love that saying from "The Help". Maybe we can meet up sometime...Jackson is not that far away:)
Blessings,
Linda
What an exciting process! I hadn't ever heard how that works. I am betting you are gonna love staying in the south. And I was just thinking I am going to make a printable of that saying. Best of luck to you all, when will this happen?
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! One more step on the journey........congrats to you and Doc. I love that thankful quote. Bang on.
ReplyDeleteCelebrate the new path you'll both take together.
Woo Hoo! What a nail biter! So glad you have happy news.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a great blessing to be "matched" and I am thrilled y'all are happy!
ReplyDeleteHappy for you here :)
Congratulations, Tammy! I'm glad that you finally know where you'll be! I'm excited to hear what it will be like in Mississipi!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Thank you so much for visiting my blog, leaving your kind comment and offering prayers for my situation. Some good news came in just a short while ago here, too. Dr. Yasargil has asked to see my MRI films. It's a long way from a "yes" just yet, but it's a first step.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! How great to be able to stay in the south!! What a fun adventure, I think things have changed since the Help...guess you will have to clean your own house LOL!
ReplyDeleteCarol
I have no idea how I missed this post, but I did.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and Doc, I'm so glad you got one of the places that you really wanted to go to! God is so very, very good and faithful!!!
Love and hugs, Cindy
Jackson, Mississippi! I've never been there.
ReplyDeleteI like how you tied it in with pictures of things that it is known for, especially, The Help - a book that I read, and the movie that I saw only a couple days ago.
I hope you'll write about life there; that you can intertwine it with your decorating
God bless you and your family; and congratulations!
So nice to live in a house like that. :)
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