With a seven year age gap, life can be a bit challenging. I'm sure when I'm 37 and you're 30, things will be different, but for now, we are who we are. Since we don't talk a lot about this kind of stuff, here are some things I would like you to remember for who you are, who you're going to be and life down the road.

1. Love yourself first.

For too many years I tried to love others with the love I should've been giving myself. Instead, I tore myself down to build others up. There's going to come a time when you have the option to hate who you are, don't give in. Life is too short to have to build yourself from the ground up and repair all the damage you've done. You're beautiful, funny, and brilliant. Remember that.

2. It doesn't matter what other people think.

It took me 19 years to realize it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. Seeing as how you paraded around in an ostrich costume for Halloween, I assume you're already there. You didn't wash your hair the night before school and you think it looks bad? It doesn't matter. You don't read the same books as all of your friends? It doesn't matter. The people who matter in your life won't care about silly things that you'll worry about. Life goes on. You're perfect.

3. Don't grow up so fast.

It seems like 12 years have flown by in a second. You went from preschool and Barbies to middle school and cellphones. There's no rush to wear makeup and heels or curl your hair and throw out your old toys. There's a time for everything, it doesn't have to be now. That's not me trying to hold onto you for as long as possible. That's me telling you what I wish I would've told myself. I wish I would've had a big sister to tell me not to shove on three layers of eyeliner in eighth grade to look pretty or to straighten my hair and look like everyone else. You'll be so grateful to yourself that you got to live as a child just a little bit longer.

4. Don't change yourself for anyone.

I've cut my hair, bought forty dollar makeup, worn uncomfortable heels and read books I didn't care about to impress other people. No one is worth forgetting yourself over. If it takes effort to have to fit in with a certain crowd, it isn't meant to be. Don't change who you are in order to be someone that you're not. You'll be so much happier feeling confident with yourself as yourself, than trying to be the girl everyone else wants you to be.

5. Do things for you.

You want purple hair? Get purple hair. You want to be able to speak three different languages? I will personally buy you Rosetta Stone. We have numbered years on this Earth and you have to use them to the best of your ability. If you're worried about what you'll look like with pink streaks in your hair, or what people will think about you if you walk around with "Twilight" in your hand, don't be. Love what you love with no apologies. The only apology you'll need to give is to mom when you're a freshman in high school and there's still pink dye on the towels (sorry again birth giver).

6. Remember that I'll love you no matter what.

You're messy, loud, say the craziest things and will make me want to throw you through a wall, but I will always love you. When you were born I never would've dreamed that the disgusting little slime ball that wouldn't stop screaming would be someone that I cared about so much. You worry me constantly. After seeing firsthand what it's like to lose a sister, I've never been so afraid to lose someone in my entire life. You're my heart and soul. Whether it's you call me lame over the phone or ask my at night to braid your hair, I cherish every moment. I would give anything in the world to erase any pain that you've gone through and will go through in order to make you happy. No matter where you go in life always remember that I'm here for you through everything. There is nothing you could tell me that would change my mind. I love you so much.