Virginia Tech Graduation Photographer | Ethan's Grad Session at VT

Anyone who knows me knows that I am absolutely, positively OBSESSED with my brothers. The three of us have a group text — aptly named "my brothers from another mother" — and whenever I see them, whether in person or on FaceTime, I cannot help but yell: "God, I love your face!!!"

Last fall, I surprised my youngest brother Aron in Memphis for his birthday and photographed him on his college campus. You can see his photos here. This time around, it was Ethan's turn and I headed down to Virginia Tech to celebrate his graduation. It was so cute when he briefly tried to get out of the photoshoot two hours before we were scheduled to start it. Nice try, dude! Aron came along for the session, and in true Aron fashion, spent the entire session wearing Ethan's cap and gown instead of just carrying it. That pretty much sums up Aron perfectly!

Now Ethan…there's just something special about this kid. While I know family members can be biased - and I assure you I am! - that doesn’t take away how impressive he is…

When I took this photo over the weekend, I couldn't help but see the face at the little kid on the left — and smile at the man on the right…

And though we didn’t grow up at the same time and I never would have guessed that with a 20+ year age gap that I would love them as much as I do…I do! I've had the privilege of watching Ethan grow from a goofy little kid into one of the most insightful, self-aware young men I’ve ever known. And while his future plans are still unfolding, I love his willingness to push himself, challenge himself, and stay open to different paths and possibilities.

And his athletic abilities? UNREAL.

A swimmer so talented that he made it all the way to the US Olympic Trials. His discipline and work ethic are incredible. Any athlete understands the emotional roller coaster that comes with competing at a high level. We've had phone calls where he'd vent frustrations about swim times or races that didn't go the way he hoped. But then there were the other calls: the ones where he absolutely blew past his own expectations and couldn't even believe what he'd just accomplished.

And isn't that why athletes keep doing it?

Because those moments where all the early mornings, all the grit, all the discipline, and all the relentless work suddenly pay off — those are the moments that make it all so worth it. Those are the moments that keep you showing up, day after day.

But what impresses me most about Ethan isn't his athletic ability — it's the man he has become. He thinks deeply about the world — geopolitics, intelligence, what's actually happening beneath the headlines — and he has opinions worth listening to. There’s a steadiness about him now as well, a quiet confidence that I've watched develop over the years. When I ask him about his future plans, I’ve often found myself so impressed by his answers. His responses are always grounded in an incredible self-awareness: he knows how he works best, what drives him, and what kind of environment brings out his best. And at 22, that level of self awareness is extraordinarily rare.

E — though I'm sorry I got all the good-lookin' genes in the family and there simply weren't any left for you, I believe in your ability to persevere. You’ll get through it, and I promise that you'll be OK. 😉

In all seriousness though— I am so freaking proud of you, and it is an honor to call you my brother. No matter what professional path you go down, I have absolutely no doubt that you will continue to challenge yourself and accomplish far more than you even realize you're capable of.

Congrats on your graduation from VT, dude.