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By Mandy Haggerson
For the Clemmons Courier

Lee Sylvia was born and raised in and around Winston-Salem. The oldest of two siblings by 10 years, she spent her childhood playing sports like volleyball and soccer. “I loved the camaraderie of sports and the competition,” reflects Sylvia. “I’ve also really enjoyed exercise and being healthy.”

Sylvia attended Bishop McGuinness High School, where she continued to participate in volleyball and soccer. Her junior year she met her future husband, Jesse Sylvia, a year ahead of her at West Forsyth. “We knew fairly early in our relationship that we had something special when we met through mutual friends,” smiles Sylvia.  When Jesse decided to stay in Clemmons to live and work after graduating from West Forsyth, Lee too, wanted to stay close to home, and him. “I know it was a different path than what most of my other friends were taking,” reflects Sylvia. “But I knew it was the right one for me and us.” Sylvia pursued a career as a paralegal by taking courses at Forsyth Technical Community College.

“I always knew I wanted to do something in the legal profession. I wasn’t sure what that looked like. I thought I might want to be an attorney too. Luckily through my internship and schooling, I confirmed being a paralegal was exactly where I needed to be,” explains Sylvia. Sylvia began an internship at Grace, Tisdale, and Clifton while still in school. “I’ve been there 16 years. It has been a great fit for me because I’ve enjoyed the people and the work that I’ve done.”

Lee and Jesse were married in 2006, proving her decision to stay close to home and family to be a wise one. “We waited until I finished all of my education and certifications, and started full time at my job,” explains Sylvia. Jesse and Lee welcomed their first child several years later, a son, Reece (10 years old). Their daughter, Peyton (7 years old), completed their family three years after Reece was born.

Crediting her parents for being the biggest influence in Sylvia’s life, Lee is trying to raise her kids much like she was raised. “We love to do anything outside. The kids have dirt bikes, they love sports, anything we can do to stay active,” notes the mom of two. “Most weekends we’re at a sporting event. The involved mom helps coach her daughter’s soccer team and Jesse helps coach their son’s baseball.  When not at the soccer or baseball fields, the Sylvias like to relax and travel. “We love going to Florida as a family. We’ve been going as long as I can remember,” says Sylvia.

Our neighbor has discovered that following her instincts has taken her to exactly the places she needs to be. As Steve Jobs reflected, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”