Two years ago, my sister Olivia was in her last year of college. For the 4th year in a row, she was participating in Cabaret, a themed musical showcase with lots of singing and dancing to famous songs. Finally, the spotlights hit the back of the stage and Olivia came out from behind a curtain. She walked down the risers and out to the middle of the stage. Crisp and clear she sang out “Why fit in, when you were born to stand out.” The band wrapped up the song with a fanfare and everyone in the audience rose to their feet, whistling and applauding.

I did the same, I cheered her name and clapped my hands together so loud they stung. But in my mind all I could think was "Woah. My little sister just sang those words." It wasn’t about her singing, which I think is always beautiful, but it was about the lyrics to the song. "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" Olivia has always been a little bit of a misfit. She hasn’t had a lot of friends and she just wants to be liked. But seeing her on stage, singing works about being unique while surrounded by kids who didn’t have a solo, it just gave my whole body the chills. She does stand out. She wasn’t made to fit in. It made me feel so proud of her.