Even though there was an instant during our disastrous morning in which I reasoned to myself, “Well, missing graduation isn’t that big a deal…he’ll still be a Georgia Tech graduate even if he doesn’t get to walk with his class,” everyone made it to my brother’s graduation ceremony on time.

Shortly after our arrival at the event, Luki had a meltdown. I think he was sleepy and, since there weren’t any high chairs or shopping carts around for him to nap in, he proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs. A week before, I would have popped out my boob and instantly comforted him, but that was no longer an option.

As I was trying to rock him to sleep on the bleachers, the woman sitting next to Ton Ton whispered loudly, with every intention of being heard, “She needs to get that baby out of here!” And our little family had to step outside in shame.

Now, I understand that crying babies are annoying, I get that. But it’s not like we were at an art gallery or a movie theater. We were in an arena filled with people. Loud people. And also? I guarantee you that Luki’s wails were far more interesting and original than the commencement speaker — some CEO of some major company — who couldn’t come up with anything more creative to tell the 2010 class than: “reach for the stars” and “follow your dreams.” Seriously. He literally used those two phrases.

Anyway, Luki and Ton Ton spent the remainder of graduation isolated, sitting on the top bleachers while I meander back and forth between them and the rest of the family.

But our baby was not the only menace to the sanctity of graduation. As my uncle, mom and aunt were conversing, at their normal, Cuban level during the veeeery long ceremony, the lady sitting in front of them turned around and said, “This is a very special day, could you please keep it down?”

Oh no she didn’t!

Unlike Luki, who couldn’t defend himself from the sneers of the incredibly uptight Georgia Tech parents, my aunt swiftly responded, “We know it’s a special day! That’s why we’re happy and celebrating!” and continued to carry on her conversation.

When it was Ani’s turn to go up for his diploma, my uncle screamed so hard that I’m sure Ms. Canyoupleasekeepitdown’s ears are still ringing.

To sum up, my loud and inappropriate family had an entire section of a basketball arena huffing and puffing, rolling their eyes, and muttering under their breaths.

But it’s all good, because at the end we got to witness this:

The insanity leading up to that moment? Totally worth it.