He suddenly realized it's coming quickly

On Saturday, we were discussing with Thomas our schedule of things for the upcoming months.  He was relaying information to his girlfriend via text as some things will include her.  He asked about the date for graduation, and when I told him, he suddenly looked at me and said, "that's two months from today."  His eyes were wide and he was a little breathless.  It suddenly hit him that graduation is really going to happen and it's coming quickly.  I know this is all going to fly by and I'm not sure I'm ready for it either, but indeed it is coming!