Elio’s Mom (Francesca)-

As I stand in the crowd, my heart swells with pride and a touch of disbelief. Today is Elio’s high school graduation, and it feels like just yesterday I was watching him take his first steps. Now, here he is, dressed in his cap and grown, ready to step into the next chapter of his life. 

The sun shines brightly over the outdoor ceremony, casting a golden glow on the sea of graduates. I squeeze Luca’s hand tightly as we navigate through the rows of chairs, searching for a good spot where we can get a clear view of our son.

“Look at all those cords,” Luca whispers, a smile playing on his lips. “He looks like a walking rainbow.”.

Elio looks so grown up in his gown, the deep blue fabric contrasting with his unruly curls peeking out from under his cap. And those cords—there are so many of them, more than any other student, draped across his shoulders. They shimmer in the sunlight streaming through the auditorium windows. I’ve lost count of how many he has—honors in every subject, leadership awards, community service. All the things I could only have dreamed of as a young girl growing up in Naples, Italy.

I close my eyes for a moment, willing myself not to cry just yet. He’s the first one in our family to go to college. I can hardly believe it. Luca and I worked so hard, sacrificed so much, for moments like this. And now it’s happening.

The principal, Mrs. Ortiz, steps up to the podium, and the murmur of the crowd dies down. She adjusts the microphone and smiles broadly at the graduates, her voice warm as she speaks.

“Good afternoon, parents, family members, teachers, and most importantly, our graduating class of 2008!” she begins, and the room erupts in applause.

Elio and the other students take their seats on the stage, and I spot him looking out into the crowd, scanning the audience. When he finds me, his face softens, and he gives a small, almost imperceptible smile. I blow him a kiss, and he chuckles, shaking his head.

Mrs. Ortiz continues, her voice full of pride as she talks about the accomplishments of this graduating class. But soon, the tone shifts, and I know the moment is coming. My breath catches in my throat.

“This year, we have the privilege of being led by a truly remarkable valedictorian,” Mrs. Ortiz announces, her voice brimming with admiration. “Elio Rizzo has achieved the highest GPA of any student in our school’s history—an astounding 5.3.”

The audience gasps, and I can feel the buzz ripple through the room. My heart swells with pride.

"And today, he will share a few words with us before we begin calling the names of our graduates. Please welcome, your valedictorian, Elio Rizzo.”

The applause is deafening. I feel Luca’s grip tighten on my hand, and I glance at him to see his eyes shining. This is the moment we’ve waited for, the culmination of everything we’ve worked for.

Elio stands and walks to the podium with a confidence that still amazes me. He’s not the shy little boy anymore, the one who would push his glasses up his nose and speak in a whisper. No, my son stands tall, his eyes scanning the crowd with ease. When he speaks, his voice is steady, clear, and full of heart.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ortiz. And thank you to all of you for being here today,” he begins, his hands resting calmly on the podium. “It feels strange standing up here, knowing that in a few minutes, we’ll all be walking across this stage, leaving high school behind. I’ve been thinking about this day for a long time, wondering what I would say when I finally got up here.”

He pauses, and the room is silent, hanging on his every word. I watch him, my heart pounding with pride.

“I want to start by thanking my family,” Elio continues, his voice softening. “My mom and dad, Francesca and Luca. You sacrificed so much for me, and I wouldn’t be standing here without you. Everything I’ve done, everything I will do, is because of the foundation you gave me.”

My throat tightens, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I glance at Luca, and he’s staring straight ahead, blinking rapidly, clearly fighting back his own tears.

“And Max,” Elio adds, grinning as he looks over at Max in his row. “You’ve been there since day one. Literally. From baseball games to all-nighters studying, I couldn’t have done it without you. I guess we’re stuck with each other for a while longer, huh?”

The audience chuckles softly, and Max flashes Elio a thumbs-up from his seat.

“But this day isn’t just about me,” Elio continues, turning serious again. “It’s about all of us. We’ve worked hard, we’ve grown up, and now we’re stepping into a world that’s big and complicated. But we’re ready. We’ve been prepared for this, not just by our teachers, but by our families, our friends, and the experiences that have shaped us.”

I feel my chest tighten with emotion. He speaks so eloquently, so thoughtfully. My little boy is a man now, and it’s hitting me all at once.

Elio smiles out at the crowd, his eyes bright with hope. “So, to the Class of 2008,” he says, raising his hand slightly, “let’s go out there and make the world better. Let’s be kind, let’s be strong, and let’s never forget where we came from. Thank you.”

The room explodes in applause, and I can’t stop the tears now. Luca pulls me close, and I bury my face in his shoulder for a moment, overwhelmed by pride, by love, by everything.

As Elio steps away from the podium, I catch his eye again. He smiles at me—that smile, the one that says, “We did it, Mamma.”

And we did.