After months and months of preparation, the day of my confirmation has finally arrived. I see Amanda, my best friend, step out of her black car and into the windy parking lot. I take careful steps in my strappy high heels to meet her with a big smile on my face. We endured countless meetings together and this day couldn’t have come any sooner. We walk side by side up the stairs and into the gym where all of the others are waiting. The sight of bright red gowns fill my sight as everyone chatted with their friends. We all sit tightly packed next to each other on the small rows in light brown bleachers. Finally, the small archbishop with his shining cream robes walks into the gym. The sight of the little archbishop and his towering cane causes all of us to let out a little giggle.  He slowly makes his way across the expansive gym decorated in red and gold banners from past sport team’s victories. The archbishop begins to start prayer, but I have to strain to hear his soft voice in the vast room. After some quiet murmurs from the archbishop, we all stand in our predetermined rows and get ready to walk to the Church.
The sound of footsteps and light conversation echoing down the staircase fill my ears as we make our way towards the Church. The soft yellows and oranges of the sunset paint the sky as we walk along the paved path. The sight of colored cars filling the parking lot fills me with excitement because I know that we are almost to the Church. I smile at the group of priests and deacons waiting in the lobby as I enter the building. After a few long minutes of waiting in line, it is finally my time to process into the main area of the church.

Claire is waiting at the entrance of the Church, directing the confirmands on when is the appropriate time to enter. Claire’s hushed whisper telling me to walk urges me forward into the expansive Church. A sea of vibrant red is in front of me as my class takes a seat in the main pews. Eager families sit in the side pews, covertly snapping pictures of their own confirmand. I strain my neck to try to locate where my family is sitting, but cannot find them in the large crowds. I then turn around to greet to my confirmation sponsor, who is my grandma. The sight of her bright blue eyes and curly brown hair fill me with pure happiness. Her presence alone calms  my nerves and reminds me why I am here today. We all sit in the wood pews covered in red cushions and participate as mas goes on. The fragrance of white flowers, which line the aisle and scatter the altar,  fills my senses. After a some time, the priest begins his detailed homily. His voice floods our ears as most of my class are either zoned out, blankly staring at random points throughout the decorated church, or attentively paying attention to the priest standing at the center of the altar. The priest concludes his lengthy homily, and it is finally time to be confirmed. I watch as one by one, confirmands and the sponsors step out into the center aisle and walk towards the humble archbishop. When my turn comes, I step out into the aisle with my grandma behind me, silently supporting me as I make this sacrament. I sing along to the choir as I step by step walk towards the archbishop. From this new position, I am able to see my family with wide smiles on their joyous faces and bulky cameras in their hand. Little cousins are waving franticly to make sure that I am able to see them through the crowd. I smile softly at my energetic family and give them a little wave to show my family that I see them. I turn my focus back to get in a spiritual state of mind. I say a little prayer and sing along to the church hymns until I am standing in front of the petite archbishop. I answer his questions with confident “Amen” and “With your Spirit”, and he finally sticks his thumb into the container of slippery white oil and anoints my head. Instantly, I feel a sense of peace and happiness. All of my worries are gone in that moment because all that matters are God and my family supporting me.