I was so set on becoming a lawyer that I chose not to walk for my college graduation because I knew I was going to graduate law school one day and wanted to reserve the experience for that achievement. In my mind, college was a means to an end— a mere stepping stone in my grander plan of becoming an attorney. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ So in March of 2020, when we received the news that our graduating class was not getting a graduation ceremony— I was in a state of denial. This was not just a moment for me, this was a moment for my family who sacrificed so much to see me achieve this milestone. This was a day my parents and I fantasized about for years. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Our vivid dreams of this special moment was replaced with a anticlimactic YouTube graduation ceremony that we watched in a quiet living room on May 15, 2020 while the world was in a state of confusion and despair. But I said to my family that one day, although I wasn’t sure when, we would be able to celebrate this special moment the way we had always imagined.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It was better than what we had imagined. My mom’s four brothers, who had not had a reunion in over 20 years, organized to fly out to surprise me for the big day. We all spent the night dancing, singing, laughing until we cried (I’ve never seen my dad laugh so hard), exchanging stories, sharing speeches— it was a night filled with so much love and magic, and one I will never forget. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It was also so unique being back on campus 2 years later, reflecting on how much has changed. I had a moment in the women’s bathroom thinking about how many hours I spent there just to recenter from the chaotic and demanding experience that is law school. I reminisced on how many nights I spent on campus studying instead of sleeping as I walked through the halls. I thought about all those moments when I doubted if my unconventional approach to law school would end up working out. I thought of how cool 17 year old Dellara would think I was to be here, now.⁣ ⁣ I am filled with so much gratitude, and trust that everything happened the way it was supposed to. What a beautiful close to this chapter of my life. What a beautiful beginning to the next.