The Dunns [dot] C.A.

Friday morning, the marks (pass/fail) for the ufe are released at 9am and normally I call in to find out.  You can go in person (in Halifax) or wait until the mail comes (sent at 3pm) or until the names are posted on the website at 10.

All week I geared myself up for a 4th failure and tried to think about how I didn’t care and how I was moving on, and what the real important things in life are like family and health and not this stupid exam. 

Finally Friday morning came and I called in at 9.  busy. busy. ring!  My stomach was in knots.  I steeled myself for the response.  “Sorry we haven’t received them yet, still not ready”.  Crap.

I asked Rick if he’d go out and get us some coffees.  I put my new favourite song on (Jason Mraz I’m Yours) and sang at the top of my lungs and Marshall helped me by playing the piano and dancing and singing along with me.  9:15 came and my phone hadn’t started ringing (the partner at my office can call in and get the mark at 9 too) so I figured I was right about failing and just wanted to get it over with.

busy.  busy.  ring!  I give my candidate number.  “It’s a pass”.  “WHAT!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?” “um, yep that’s what it says”.  “ok, excellent.  um. ok thanks!”

“MARSHAAAAAAAAALL!”

Marshall came running and stopped a few feet away.  “YEAH?”

“MOMMY’S A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT TODAY!  GIVE ME A HUG!”

And he did.  And I couldn’t believe how choked up I was. 

Then Rick came in the door and I could barely contain myself.  And I don’t know what he thought at first because I was crying but smiling, so I guess he knew what had happened.

SO. HAPPY.

I then called my coach for the summer who helped me through it and told her.  She was thrilled.  Then my mom of course, and dad and then I woke up my sister in Calgary.  I also got a call from my aunt in Calgary who is a CA and who knew the significance of this day.  She also woke up my sister and got my cell number so she could call to tell me she saw my name and was thrilled for me.

Then I realized I’d probably better call my office and let them know.

Roseanne answered very soft and quietly, like someone had passed away.  “Hi Roseanne!  It’s Tamara!”  “Hi Tamara.” “um, I passed!”  “YOU PASSED!  SHE PASSED!”  *great cheers and hoots coming from around the office.  (apparently Joan had checked the NBICA site and my name wasn’t there so everyone thought I hadn’t made it…she says she’s never going to live that down heh)  “Get your butt in here Tamara!”

I took my time anyway, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a mistake and my name was posted on the website.  I posted on facebook, chat boards, pretty much everywhere.  I started an email to pretty much my whole email list and waited and waited.  Finally I found the site and my name was there and I hit send.

Rick was already showered, dressed and waiting for me by this time and Jordan (my study partner from last year) texted wondering where we were.  M was so keyed up and having such a grand time with mommy jumping around the house that he didn’t want to leave.  *L*  We finally got him to Cathy’s place – she was also teary and excited – and headed for the offie.

What a feeling.  We came down the hall and could see everyone in the office on the other side of the glass doors ready and waiting for us with their cameras out and everything.  When we walked in, there was congratulations and applause and people started hugging me from left and right every woman in that place pretty much.  There were flowers, and champagne was uncorked.

I have never experienced anything like this before.  It was insane.

We all went out to lunch and drinks at a local pub, then Rick and I headed home for a fairly quiet afternoon involving putting up xmas lights/wreath and a little mall walking, followed by his work xmas party which was a nice turkey dinner, with all of our kids.  We walked to the party with the wagon and M’s foldaway table for the kids.  M rode his trike.  It was a wonderful day all in all.

I was yawning by 7pm and could barely stay awake!  All that stress and then relief and excitement is exhausting!

Still, I can’t help but think of a couple of friends who didn’t make it and how crappy they must feel.  I know because I’ve been there.  And one of them it was her last try as well.  But it really isn’t as important as all those other things are.  So far, not much has changed.  I still have to do the dishes.  I still do the same job on Monday (except hopefully with a raise).  I still have the best little family.