My Role Models James and Lily

James and Lily Potter remain two of the characters in the Potter series that I wish I had more information on. As the parents of the Boy Who Lived, they may be one of the most famous parental figures in the magical world. My fascination for the two, and their relationship, sparked when J.K. Rowling informed us in Order of the Phoenix about their, er, complicated relationship. Now on the 34th anniversary of their death, and that I have officially lived longer than the two, I am looking back on the strength the couple had and how I hope to be as strong and loving as parents as they were.

The recent college grad that I am, I have no reason not to think highly of those who at my age are already living in a parental role. I know for a fact that while I would do okay at raising a child right now, I would absolutely struggle with many things. Therefore, James and Lily Potter continue to be literary role models of mine in the parenting world. Some fans might argue that the pair was too young to have children, but the wizarding school system is formatted far different from the rest of the world. At age 17, wizards and witches are ready to set out into the world as adults. At 17 in America, I could not even buy a lotto ticket.

James and Lily Potter became parents at an incredibly young age, but their age did not affect the way they parented. We know very little of Harry’s life at Godric’s Hollow, but from what we do know, it is evident that Harry was loved. As a child in hiding, Harry was still given the world with his cat, his toy broomstick, and his other toys. I still like to believe that Sirius would transform into his Animagus form to also give Harry the illusion of owning a dog.

I assume that the moment your child is a born, an instinct to love and protect takes over since I feel this bond with my younger sister. I have learned a lot about what it means to be a parent from my own parental figures, as well as being an older sibling, but it was James and Lily Potter who truly taught me what it means to give your life for the ones you love. The strength the couple exhibited at 21 years of age, including the ability to sacrifice themselves for their child, astounded me when I first read the books. The more than I learn about the Potters, the more I hope that in my future I turn out to be parents like them. The type of parents who love each other as much as they love their children and who never let go of what was important in life.

James and Lily Potter will continue to be some of my favorite literary characters (that I will never stop wanting more background on), and because of that, I always take time on this day to think back about everything they did. Imagine, had James and Lily not died, Voldemort might have still been around today. I feel a twinge of sadness on Halloween and try not to think about what Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Severus Snape went through in the hours after. Instead, I give a small nod to Rowling for providing me with parental figures to look so high upon and for giving us martyrs that would lead to the Dark Lord’s downfall.

Most importantly, I always make sure to make a toast at night and whisper to my friends, “To Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived!”