Celebrating Residency Graduation in Cincinnati

Reaching the end of residency is a major milestone, and while we might not have been working 80-hour weeks, we should definitely be celebrating our own hard work as spouses in making it through these years, right? Residency programs have their individual graduation celebrations - they might involve dinner at the department chair's house, a formal dinner, a golf outing, or more - but here are some fun ways to treat yourself and celebrate finishing residency as a spouse (well, wife, for most of these) and to take advantage of some great things around Cincinnati - which you'll especially want to do if your end-of-residency transition means you're moving away from the area!

photos: Blown | Boca | Orchids | 21c Hotel | Party Source

1. Wear a fancy dress: Rent the Runway is a great resource for celebratory events - they offer rentals of dresses for really reasonable prices and ship them right to your door. Especially helpful if your department's graduation has a black-tie graduation affair and you don't want to have to buy a gown!

2. Have your hair done: if you're getting all dressed up, why not also treat yourself to a blow out? Cincinnati has several new-ish dry bars to check out: Cincy Style Bar, Blown, and Zephyr.

3. Go out for a fancy dinner: reserve a table at one of Cincinnati's best restaurants to have a celebratory dinner date. In my opinion Boca cannot be beat, but Orchids would also be a great option for a splurge dinner.

4. Get a room: ring in finally (hopefully) having more time to spend with your spouse by trying out one of Cincinnati's great hotels, like the very cool 21c Museum Hotel or or the historic Cincinnatian Hotel. This would be especially fun if your graduation dinner is downtown, so you can continue your party late.

5. Make a toast: pick out something special/bubbly, pour some glasses, and say cheers to your achievement. Party Source and Jungle Jim's have such huge selections - shopping for your special beverage can be an event unto itself.

Congratulations, residency graduates - and spouses!