Dear Jen and Jea,
We’re finally here.
Today, as we celebrate another milestone in our family’s story, I find myself looking not only at where we are but also at how far we have come together.
Growing up, we shared more than a home. We shared dreams, challenges, laughter, disappointments, and countless moments that shaped who we are today. We witnessed each other’s victories and struggles—sometimes from the front row and sometimes from afar—but always as sisters walking through life side by side.
We know each other’s minds and how they work. They say familiarity breeds contempt, yet somehow it made us more connected. The more we learned about one another, the deeper our bond became.
The three of us have always filled one another’s shortcomings. We make a great team.
And I, for one, can hardly complain about the many times you surprised me with your wisdom and maturity. There were countless moments when your perspectives challenged mine and reminded me that growth does not belong to age alone.
Looking at both of you now fills me with immense pride.
We went from playing jackstones, jump rope, and hide-and-seek to simulating a homeroom class where I appointed myself the miniature teacher and you became my unwilling pupils. You used to grumble about the smallest things, fidgeting every few seconds because you wanted to play, yet you could never quite escape the quagmire that was me—your phony, pernickety teacher.
You once vacillated over what paths to take and what futures to pursue.
And here we are now.
Three degrees. One family.
We recognize that every diploma we hold carries Mama and Papa’s fingerprints. Every success we achieve is rooted in their sacrifices, their faith, and their unwavering belief in us.
The possibilities of the future are vast. We can never fully know what lies ahead or who we will become in the years to come.
Yet we know this much: wherever life takes us, we will always find our way back home. Whoever we meet and whatever we accomplish, we will never forget who we are or where we came from.
I am grateful that you became my sisters.
When it felt as though my mind was bigger than the sky, you grounded me. When I overcomplicated things, you brought me back to what mattered. When I doubted myself, you reminded me of my strengths.
As I reflect on our journey, I realize that our story has never been about individual success alone. Every achievement belongs to all of us. When one of us succeeds, the entire family celebrates. When one of us struggles, the others help carry the burden.
That is the beauty of sisterhood.
I am certain that Mama and Papa are proud of how much we have grown through the years. Seeing the three of us navigate life without trying to outpace, outdo, or outplay one another, I believe they are confident that we can face whatever comes our way while holding each other’s hands.
I am grateful for the memories we have created, the lessons we have learned, and the bond that continues to grow stronger with time. No matter where life takes us, I hope we never forget the values that brought us here—faith, humility, perseverance, kindness, and love for one another.
I know that we will continue to support each other through every season of life. We will celebrate each other’s victories without envy, comfort one another during hardships without hesitation, and encourage each other to keep pursuing the dreams placed in our hearts.
I pray that God blesses each of you with wisdom, courage, purpose, and happiness. May He guide your steps, protect your paths, and lead you toward the life He has prepared for you.
Thank you for being part of my life and for making our family’s story richer, brighter, and more meaningful.
No matter how much time passes or how far our paths may stretch, I will always be grateful that I get to call you my sisters.
With all my love,
Joy
[…] success. With this in mind, at an early age, I set myself on becoming the best role model for my younger sisters, Jen and […]