A Day I Thought I'd Never See: Celebrating Amelie's First-Class Graduation & A Triumph of Love
This week, my heart is overflowing with a pride I can barely put into words as I celebrate a truly momentous occasion: my incredible daughter, Amelie, has officially graduated from Leeds Arts University with a First Class BA (Hons) in Music!
Want to see? Oh go on then!!!
Witnessing Amelie walk across that stage, a First Class degree in hand, was a moment that felt almost surreal. It’s the culmination of years of dedication, passion, and immense hard work. She poured her heart and soul into her studies, and to see her achieve such a prestigious academic honour – a First Class degree – fills me with an indescribable joy and awe for her talent and perseverance.
For many years, the thought of attending such a significant public event, surrounded by crowds and unfamiliar spaces, was a deeply daunting one for me due to my agoraphobia. There were moments, many times over, when I truly believed I wouldn't be able to be there, to witness this milestone firsthand, to cheer her on from the audience.
But, through everything my book The Soul Acts will teach when it comes out, I found the strength to step beyond my comfort zone. And oh, how I relished every single moment of that day.
From the vibrant atmosphere of the graduates and their families, to the solemnity and excitement of the ceremony itself, to every proud smile and tear shed, I loved everything about that day. It all came together, creating an experience infused with an undeniable sense of love – the love we share as a family, the profound love for her craft that fueled Amelie's dedication, and indeed, the deep love I felt for simply being present, fully alive, celebrating her triumph. My presence felt like a victory in itself, adding another layer of meaning to an already perfect day.
And as if the day couldn't get any more perfect, the keynote speech by the phenomenal actor Shaun Dooley shown above was truly the icing on the cake. Having received an Honorary Master of Arts for his remarkable acting career, his words were an unexpected gift. His speech was honest, full of his characteristic humor, and packed with genuinely priceless advice for the graduating class. He spoke of kindness, of staying humble, of the profound importance of helping others, and, crucially, of supporting our families to achieve their biggest dreams.
His message perfectly encapsulated what this whole journey has been about for us: the unwavering support, Amelie's incredible hard work, my own personal breakthroughs brough about because of the strength and determination Amelie has given me from her first breath, and the absolute necessity of celebrating these incredible life achievements wholeheartedly. Being there, celebrating her triumph, felt like the ultimate expression of love, and a testament that with dedication and 'soul acts' the most challenging of obstacles can be truly overcome.
My beautiful Amelie, I am so incredibly proud of you, not just for this First Class degree, but for the brilliant, kind, and talented person you are. This is what life is all about, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
Although Amelie is about to become a superstar in her own right as a singer, I had to share Shaun Dooley's speech too because his words are so impactful. You can watch the full clip above or in the full version below.
The full ceremony filmed by Leeds Arts University ©
* Oh and one last thank you! Leeds Arts University did themselves so proud too this day. The comradery was palpable and I recommend you sending your child to study there if they ever get the opportunity *
