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FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — College graduation is a special day to share with family and friends. Husband and wife Kadarius and Janil Seegars did more than share the day: They also shared the stage. Both graduated Saturday when Francis Marion University held fall commencement.
Their story started years ago in Kershaw County.
"We actually met when we were in middle school, sixth grade," Kadarius said. "We started dating in high school and got married our sophomore year of college."
While college was always the plan for Janil, her husband said he didn't have much say either way.
"My mom pretty much told me that I was going to college," Kadarius said laughing.
"I was from a really small town where no one really ever left," Janil said. "That wasn't for me."
A self-described "book nerd," Janil decided to get her bachelor of arts degree in English; Kadarius, who started originally at Lander University, majored in theater as a result of finding out that he enjoyed drama while in high school.
The Seegarses said that being college students at the same time was an interesting experience, sometimes comically so.
"We took a few classes together and some people actually thought we were twins," Kadarius said. "That was definitely weird."
"I've known Dr. (Jon) Tuttle since my freshman year," Janil said. "Kadarius took one of his classes this semester and Dr. Tuttle stopped me in the hall one day and said, 'I didn't know that Kadarius was your husband; when did that happen?' I told him that he needed to get with the program; we've been married for almost three years!"
Mostly, the Seegars said, attending college together pushed them to do better individually.
"We play off of each other," Kadarius said. "If she gets good grades, I get good grades. I help her study, she helps me study. Because we were both in school, we understand what the other was going through."
The Seegarses got a surprise last year during exams when they found out that Janil was expecting. They didn't let the news get them off-track though. Their four-month-old son was in the audience for their graduation.
So what is next for them? Both plan to pursue further education, Janil at Coastal Carolina University and Kadarius at FMU. And they both may end up in the classroom again in a few years, this time in the role of teacher.
"I like to write," Janil said. "So, I may go into publishing or something like that. If I don't do that, I will probably end up teaching on the college level."
Kadarius will get his teaching certification, allowing him to teach both English and theater.
Kadarius said he is proud of his wife and proud of the work she put in to get her degree.
Janil said she is thrilled to be able to share in her husband's accomplishments.
"I think I am more excited for him than I am for myself," Janil said. "He is my best friend. I have loved seeing him grow up, even though I'm growing too, from the little boy I first met to the man that he is today."
The Seegarses were part of a class of 351 students who graduated Dec. 19. Among that number were nearly 100 graduate students, a record number for the university.
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Information from: Morning News, http://www.scnow.com
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