KNOXVILLE, Tenn — "I was in second grade, and I was in art class, and one of my teachers was like, 'Meet your sister, your big sister, Rachel,' and she sat with me, and we started getting to know each other," Ravin said.
Now, ten years later, Ravin and Rachel are inseparable.
"She's the best," Ravin said.
The pair were matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee.
Neither have sisters of their own.
"She taught me how to be a young lady," Ravin said. "She always tells me just believe in yourself, be positive, you've got this. She's always been by my side."
Ravin recently received a scholarship from Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee after writing about their special relationship.
"We have a lot of common interests that have grown and I think shaped both of us as we've gotten older," Rachel said. "It's helped me be a good mother now that I have my own family."
"I think Ravin sees the best in everyone," Rachel said.
Rachel and Ravin have made more memories over the years than they can count, from trying new foods to watching Tennessee football games together at the top of Neyland Stadium.
"I was scared of heights back then," Ravin laughed.
Ravin is headed off to college soon.
She wants to become a graphic designer someday--a path she partially credits to Rachel and a future she plans to share with her big sister.
"She's more than a sister. She's like family," Ravin said.
Has their story inspired you? Click here to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee.