Dear Little Sister,
You've always been the baby of the family, but now, as you're preparing to take your permit test, step behind the wheel of a car for the first time, tour colleges, and tally another birthday, it doesn't feel like you're so young anymore. It's mind-boggling how time passes, how years come and go, how we used to spend hours playing with American Girl dolls and creating fairy houses in the backyard, activities that stopped around age 12 and haven't returned since. And because you're turning sixteen, I have sixteen birthday wishes for you (and one for good luck).
I hope you realize that...
1. You really can accomplish whatever it is that you want to do. Whether it's acing the permit test or learning a new song on the guitar, you're capable. I believe in you, always.
2. You should take credit for the person you've become, because you've worked damn hard to become her.
3. You're always going to be the person who "loves more;" it's just the type of people we were raised to be. But one day you're going to realize there's something incredible about having so much love to give.
4. You have to protect your heart, but don't be too guarded.
5. Wasting time on people who don't put any effort in isn't worth the time because there are SO many people around you that would. Boys who don't text you back aren't worth the energy (or the frustration)!
6. Your belief in yourself is so much more important than anyone else's belief in you.
7. Finding the balance between hard work and fun is crucial.
8. You have to embrace the chapter of life you are in right now. If you race through the next few years (even though it's tempting to want to!), you will find yourself on the night of your high school graduation pondering where the time went, and why you were in such a hurry for it to rush by.
9. That being said, life gets a LOT better after high school. This is a fact. Trust me on this one!
10. You have a world of opportunity ahead of you; don't neglect that fact.
11. Every day you have chance to start fresh; the world opens up to you when you realize this.
12. You find your passion when you least expect it; remember that and let it come to you.
13. You never know what you can do until you try.
14. Nothing is impossible; even when it seems that things might not go the way you expected, there's always the chance that they will.
15. And sometimes, when things don't proceed the way you planned initially, it's because you're on the road to something better.
16. Every so often, treat yourself, because you deserve it.
17. You're everything I could ever ask for in a little sister, and I love you endlessly. My last wish for you is that you realize how wonderful you truly are.
Happy birthday!
XOXO,
Your Proud, Happy, Thankful Older Sister
