Congratulations on all your hard work paying off. For me, happiness is akin to contentment; when I do my best toward getting what I want to get and I do good work, I am content and, if what I want comes to be, happy. Happiness isn't a permanent state of being, although contentment can be. Happiness is a drink of cool water on a hot day; you're glad it's there (but you'd be content with finding even warm water and being able to wash the dirt and grime off your face).