When I first told my baby sister (not really a baby, she is 21) last December about my decision to move to Ethiopia for two years, the first thing out of her mouth was that I was going to miss her A&M ring dunk and that they were going to have to Skype me in.  Since I went to a college where college rings were really not big deal at all, I didn’t really realize the significance of the day that Aggies get their college rings.  Luckily, due my change in plans which has me in Austin right now instead of Ethiopia, Geoff and I were able to be there!

My sister has been talking about this day since she started college at A&M but nothing could have prepared Geoff or I for what we experienced when we went to College Station a few weeks ago for this infamous day.  I felt like we had stepped into another world.  So much maroon, so many howdy’s! and gig ‘ems.  There were organized dances by the A&M dance teams and families for miles walking the streets of College Station to support their loved ones who were to receive their Aggie class ring that day.  So we waited our turn for Erin’s assigned time to receive her ring, people all around us were crying as they received this little precious piece of gold, really quite a sight to see. To top it off, Erin did her actual “ring dunk” the same day since we were already all in town.  We had a party, fajitas, and beer and then at 7:12 PM Erin, along with 3 of her friends, did the famous Aggie tradition and chugged a pitcher of beer to get to their new rings at the bottom of the pitcher so that they could officially wear their rings with pride!  Gotta love those Ags and their traditions that don’t make much sense to anyone who didn’t go to A&M and yet mean so much to anyone that has.

In all seriousness though, I could not be more proud of my baby sister for making it to her Senior year of college.  There have been ups and downs but I think this ring signifies much more than a college allegiance, but instead, the symbol of a successful journey through the years of college, of finding herself, and of growing into one of the most incredible young women that I know.  I am proud and blessed to call her my sister! Enjoy these photos  -R