First, I want you to know how proud I am of you and everything you’ve accomplished so far. I am impressed daily by your strength and your selflessness to do a job so many can’t and will not do. I could never know how trying your journey has been, but know that since the day you told me this was what you wanted to do, I’ve been on a journey of my own.

When you approached me as teenagers, with the idea that you would join, my first reaction was fear. I did not show you this because I could see in your eyes that you believed this was your calling. The night before you left for one of the hardest summers of your life, I could not help but notice you too were fearful, fearful of the path that you chose. Throughout your first few years in, I experienced countless goodbyes, endless months apart from you and worst of all, a constant worry. But even so, I’ve never been so proud of you.

I remember the first time I saw you in uniform. Mom could not stop gushing and dad surely saw you as a reflection of himself in the uniform all those years ago. As your sister, it was different seeing you in something so detailed, so clean cut. My first thought was, ‘you’ve come a long way.’ And you have. Nothing could have prepared me for this journey, but as long as you are doing what makes you happy and gives your life purpose, I support you 100 percent.

Every chance I get, I talk about you, your branch and what you do. It gives me great satisfaction to bring you up in conversation and to see the reactions of pure awe and admiration. There is no length I will not go to show my love and pride for you.

It is a blessing to have a sibling like you, to have grown up with someone so driven and so grounded. I have always looked up to you and learned from you. And for that I thank you.

No words could ever describe how grateful I am to be apart of this journey with you. I hope you always remember that I will always be your sister, your best friend and your biggest supporter.

Thank you.