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upworthy
Heroes

George Lucas changed the rules of the Star Wars universe to make this boy unbelievably happy.

"To be a Jedi is to truly know the value of friendship, of compassion, and of loyalty, and these are values important in a marriage."

We're only seven months away from the new Star Wars movie being released. It's an exciting time to be alive.

But did you know that in the Star Wars universe, Jedi can't get married? It's sad but true. And 7-year-old Colin Gilpatric isn't having it.

At his young age, Colin is already pretty certain of two things:


  1. He wants to be a Jedi.
  2. He wants to get married.

(This is exactly two more things than I knew about myself at age 7.)

So what did this young Padawan do? He wrote a letter to the one man who could change the rule: George Lucas.


The letter reads:

Dear George Lucas,

I don't like that a Jedi cannot get married. I want to get married without becoming a Sith. Please change the rule.

P.S. I want to come to Skywalker Ranch, please.

Love,
Colin.






The best part? Lucas wrote back.

The people at Lucasfilm replied to his letter, and Colin's reaction is priceless.

They could have let him down easy, stifling his imagination. But what they did was so much cooler.

Here's the video. It's 100% worth a watch:

Lucasfilm's letter reads:

Dear Colin,

Thank you so much for writing to us with your question. It sounds like the Force is strong with you, and you are showing great wisdom by asking your question. To be a Jedi is to truly know the value of friendship, of compassion, and of loyalty, and these are values important in a marriage. The Sith think inward, only of themselves. When you find someone that you can connect to in a selfless way, then you are on the path of light, and the dark side will not take hold of you. With this goodness in your heart, you can be married.

We enclosed a few gifts that we hope you enjoy. Thank you again for writing.

May the Force Be With You!

Your friends at Lucasfilm







Now, why is it that Jedi aren't supposed to get married?

The simple answer is that Jedi believe emotion clouds judgment, and the easiest solution is simply not to make personal attachments.

Yeah, Yoda, you would say that, living all alone in the swamp on Dagobah.

After all, one of the reasons Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side was because he thought he could save the woman he loved. It's serious stuff.


But rules are meant to be broken, and 2015 seems like a pretty appropriate time to start shaking up some of the outdated rules we have about marriage.

In both in fictional universes and reality.

Way to go, George Lucas, for proving for the second time in just the past couple months that you've got a heart of gold.

Whether you're standing up for affordable housing or making a kid's dream come true, this is a good look on you, G.L.

Congratulations, Colin! May your future spouse be just as into Star Wars as you are!

And, of course, as always, may the Force be with you.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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