Force to Be Reckoned With

My little sister graduated from law school last weekend, and it was even more surreal than I expected. My baby sister has always been a force to be reckoned with, but now she also has a J.D. and will soon be a licensed attorney.

When she was still deciding whether to go to law school, I actually encouraged her not to go. I wanted to protect her from the experience I had.

Don’t get me wrong—I didn’t hate every part of law school, but I would never willingly choose to do it again. The trials and tribulations shaped me into who I am today, but I still believe many of those same lessons could be learned in a less harsh environment. And if I could spare my little sister from some of that struggle, I wanted to.

Turns out I probably should’ve used reverse psychology, because the more I tried to dissuade her, the more convinced she became that she was called to be a lawyer.

Even after she was accepted into law school and started classes, I still had my reservations. But watching her approach law school with relentless determination, discipline, and confidence was both commendable and inspiring. She never wavered. She knew exactly what she wanted and pursued it wholeheartedly.

To celebrate her graduation, I wanted to create something meaningful for her—a reminder of what I, and so many others, see in her no matter where life takes her. I wanted this collage to celebrate her accomplishments, encourage her for the challenges ahead, and remind her of the qualities that make her who she is. More than anything, I wanted her to see herself the way the people who love her see her: capable, resilient, compassionate, brilliant, and deeply impactful.

Those three years flew by. Suddenly her graduation day arrived, and as my little sister walked across the stage to receive her diploma and be hooded, she looked so grown up.

I was incredibly proud of her, but even more than that, I was happy that she was proud of herself. She understood the weight of what she accomplished, and she didn’t need anyone else’s recognition to validate it. The ability to be independently confident in herself and secure in her abilities is something I’ve always wanted for her, and she has it.

I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next, but one thing I already know is that she is and will always be a world changer.

If nothing else, she has certainly changed my life, and I’m beyond blessed to call her my SFE: Sister For Eternity.