Dear Sis,
You are officially an adult in the wizarding community, congratulations, you can apparate! Here you can just see rated-R movies, which are seriously overrated anyways...
But in all seriousness, it's at 17 that you are on the brink of adulthood...you can do anything at all this year, I urge you not to waste that.
There are a few times throughout your life in which you are nearly guaranteed to feel invincible...there are a few years in which the confidence you feel in yourself and your decisions is the only thing that matters. Five year-olds, ready to start school and push away from their parents, are often the first ones to tell you they can and will do anything. My goddaughter is nearing that phase, think of her assurance when she argues with us that her plans are far more important than ours.
Nine year-olds are the same way, they are not quite young children anymore, but they aren't yet "pre-teens" with all of the baggage that comes with that yet either...think of our cousin, old enough to iMessage with his email and come to concerts at the Forum, but not yet old enough to have a phone. He stayed up until midnight on New Year's, but you would still consider him a kid. Thirteen is officially a part of the "teenage" years...even though they have nearly nothing in common with 19 year-olds besides the 1 present in their age, thirteen year-olds assure you that they clearly know everything. Think of our brother and all of his wisdom, which clearly surpasses the wisdom gained by our ages...
I remind you of these ages so that you, as you near another milestone like this, can try to reflect and force yourself to listen to my words here...the invincibility of 17 year-olds matters so much more than those kids...you have the power to make decisions which will absolutely change the rest of your life. This year, you will apply to colleges--which means you have to determine where you want to go. This year, you may butt heads with our parents...that happens, in case you don't remember me being 17 four years ago. I hope though, that you can listen to a little bit of wisdom before you do...
In your newfound love of the culture you were born into, I don't think you have yet found love for "One Tree Hill"...but I think the show summed up 17 best: "It's the oldest story in the world. One day, you're seventeen and you're planning for someday. And then quietly, and without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And that someday is yesterday. And this is your life."
So live 17 like you want to live the rest of your life! Live, laugh, love. There's a reason there are movies about wanting to be 17 again...I don't know that I've felt that invincible since. But here are some quotes to keep in mind:
There is nothing in the world more powerful than a girl who knows what she wants. I hope this year, you find what it is that you want, so that you can spend the rest of your life enjoying that.
Love you lots,
Caitlyn
