I, like many, was devastated to hear about Carrie Fisher’s passing. She was strong, beautiful, honest and an outstanding human being. She was a role model for young girls, people with mental illness and people dealing with addiction. Her role as Princess Leia brought out the princess in all of us. I couldn't help but cry when I heard she had left us, but her strength will never be forgotten.

In movies and television, there weren’t many strong female characters to look up to, especially when I was a kid. And yet there was Princess Leia. I was introduced to Star Wars when I was around three-years-old, and my favorite character was immediately Leia. She was a fighter, a rebel, a princess and everything I wanted to be. I used to dress up as her, and come up with her backstory on how she got involved in the rebellion. Now, girls can look up to Rey, Hermione and Jyn Erso. Women are finding their voice in entertainment again. Leia paved the way for strong female characters. She was my role model, and she also redefined what it meant to be a princess.

Over time, I had shed the color pink and other ideas that were girly due to society’s under-appreciation of anything feminine. Yet, I still wanted to be a princess, and I wanted to be Leia. She taught us that it was okay to be tough and rebellious and romantic. She was scared, but hopeful. Kind, yet honest. She was one of the most human characters I could watch, and she taught girls what it truly meant to be a princess.

Carrie pushed through a drug addiction and became open about being bipolar. Her voice broke through the social stigma of mental illnesses, and she became a spokesperson for those also fighting the battle. The pictures of her and her service dog, Gary, are too precious. Her return to Star Wars as General Leia continued to show the strength of what women could accomplish, and also proved to all that if you can overcome your struggles, you can be a general,too.

Carrie’s passing preceded her mother’s, Debbie Reynolds, by a day. Their love for each other was so strong and beautiful. They both showed the world what family love was, and in saying that, I offer my condolences to their family. The world lost two bright and shining stars, but the sky gained two.

Growing up, Princess Leia was everything I could want to be. Carrie Fisher’s role as the princess paved the way for strong female roles in film and television, as well as telling young girls that even princesses can kick butt. She was a general to us all, and we salute you, Carrie Fisher. You once said that you want to be remembered dying by "being drowned in moonlight, strangled by her own bra." Now that's the way to go. We will always remember you. Thank you, and may the force be with you.