At my very young age of seven, my parents brought home a little baby wrapped in a pink receiving blanket and laid her on our living room floor. Little did I know at that time, but that baby girl would grow up to be my best friend. Through all of our ups and downs, our sisterly drama and arguments, our family vacations and trips around the country, our good times and hilarious moments, and everything in between, the baby who once did nothing except cry and need now amazes me with all of her talents, her strength, and her joy for life.
Being 14 is not a fun age to be, and I remember it quite fondly for myself. As your big sister, I feel it is my duty to tell you about some life lessons that I learned along the way, in hopes that I can shed my love and wisdom on you.
I love you Kaitlyn Marie and I am so proud of you every single day!
1. People won’t treat you differently if you don’t wear makeup. Let your natural beauty shine through as often as you can, because the makeup doesn't define you anyways. Honestly, you don't even need it. You're beyond beautiful.
2. Our parents are human too. They will make mistakes and you should forgive them just as you would expect them to forgive you. Remember that mom and dad love you so much, and that they just want to see you become the beautiful young lady you are already turning out to be, and much more.
3. You will never feel like you tell the people you love how much you love them enough. Tell them anyway. Just like our favorite show "Grey's Anatomy" tells us, "I think it’s important to take the time to tell the people you love how much you love them while they can still hear you." -- Meredith Grey
4. You’ll never go where you want to go if you wait for somebody to come with. Sometimes you have to go it alone, and that’s OK. You can do it, and I know you have the strength. Plus, I will always be here to catch you if you fall. That's what big sisters are for.
5. People will tell you they understand what you’re going through, but some will say it out of sympathy instead of honesty. Believe the ones who have stuck by you even when the going has been the toughest it has ever been. Don't fall for the fake friends, and don't get run over by insecurity and judgements from others.
6. There are terrible things happening in the world, even if they are not happening to you. Don’t believe the people trying to tell you that it can’t get any better than it is now. I promise that it can get much, much, worse, and I am sure it will. But I can also promise you that you will get through it, and that it will make you a stronger person.
7. I am always just one phone call, text message, snapchat, or (long) drive away. I hope you never forget that the bond of our sisterhood will always come first in my life and always be one of my most important relationships here on this earth. I would drop the world for you in one second if you needed me to.
8. You will change a lot after high school, but if you’re not OK with who you’re becoming, you will always have the ability to become someone else. Don't be afraid to continue to become more and more of yourself, and always make it your priority to change with the pace of yourself and nothing else. Keep yourself and your soul of the utmost priority, and guard it with your ever-changing circumstances.
9. The people telling you that you shouldn’t romanticize cities or places are people you should be ignoring. In a few years you will go to the city or go to a beautiful place and learn that it’s everything you’ve always wanted. If it is, I hope you have the courage to pack up your life and make it happen. But, if it isn't, I still hope you wander about and travel as much as you can to find your spot in this world.
10. If you feel uncomfortable about anything, you don’t need to come up with excuses to avoid it. Trust yourself. No one know’s what’s going on inside of you more than you do, and you have the strongest intuition out of anyone I know. I trust you to make these choices. Your gut feeling will never let you down.
11. No one will ask you what grade you got on that algebra test after your freshman year. I know it matters now, and it should, but I promise that it will become smaller as your world becomes bigger. Try not to let it overcome you now and know that it will subside.
12. Keep God at the forefront of your decision making, your actions, your choices, and your thoughts. Doing so will help you walk with Him and always keep you intentional. God is always one step closer to your heart than you think He is.
13. You don’t ever have to laugh if you don’t think it’s funny. No matter how attractive or popular or cool they are, hold your morals and values over trying to win over anyone with your beautiful charm and smile.
14. No one ever talks about the nights they went to bed early, but it feels so much better to wake up refreshed. These years don’t have to be the years you talk about forever. Your high school years should be fun, exciting, and enjoyable, but I promise there are more, better times to come. It won't end here.
I love you more than I could ever tell you. I can't promise you that I can solve all of your problems, but I can promise you that you will never have to face them alone. "Because I have a sister, I will always have a best friend."
