Growing up with all brothers, junior Blakely Pfaff always wanted a mini-me little sister. Her world changed when she was 5 years old and found out that the new addition to their family was going to be a girl.

“I wished every single day that it was a little girl,” Pfaff said. “ I was so excited to have just like a little baby doll to play with.”

She recalls that day vividly, her siblings biting into cupcakes filled with pink frosting, and the cheers when they found out their last family member was a little girl. Her little sister, Stella, has since grown up, teaching Blakely the importance of these sibling bonds.

“She is the perfect example of what I want to be and what I want to teach others and how to be and I just really hope that she knows how impactful she is in my everyday life,” Pfaff said.

Her little sister has helped her learn the importance of kindness and positivity. Since this memorable day, her life has never been the same. She learns and grows more with Stella each day. 

“She teaches me how to talk to myself and others. You know growth mindset and positive self-talk as well as positive talk to others,” Pfaff said. “She has changed me drastically to the person I am today.”