Dear little sister,

First off, thank you for being not only my sister but also my best friend. You know me better than anyone else. Thank you for always being there for me no matter what happens. Thank you for always checking in on me. Thank you for always answering my texts and phone calls no matter what time it is. Thank you for hanging out with me when I come home for the weekend or for holiday breaks and getting late night milkshakes or for the early morning breakfast dates we have together. Thank you for holding down the fort since I’m not home anymore. Just, thank you for everything you do.

As you go through high school, I can only hope you are able to take away as much as or more than I was able to take away. High school years are possibly the best years of your life, even though you may not be able to realize it right now. As of now, I hope you’ll have the best time of your life. You’ll enjoy cheering at high school sporting events and the butterflies you get in your stomach before your first homecoming dance or prom. You get to discover new things and decide what you want to do with your life. I know it can be hard, but in the end, high school will help you to determine the kind of person you want to be and what kind of person you don’t want to be. It will be evident but not until after you take the time to look back at your high school years. You will make mistakes and learn from them. You will learn the real meaning of true friends. You will lose friends but realize who really is always there for you. You will learn that maybe you just might not need someone in your life. You will discover what heartbreak is and maybe even discover your first love. You will fight with your friends and learn how to pick and choose what fights are actually worth fighting for. You’ll realize how important family is and how important it is to treasure your relationships with them, especially your parent and grandparents. You will regret not living every moment to your fullest and spending time dwelling on the negative things. You will learn that you need to dwell on only positive things because negative things aren’t and should never be worth your time.

So, here’s some advice. Don’t get caught up in pointless drama ever. It happens. We all know it happens. I can promise you no matter what you and your friends fight about, you will regret what you say and what ended up happening. Never end a friendship over a guy. You will always regret choosing a guy over your friends. Just don’t do it. As cheesy as it sounds, friends are forever and most boys are only temporary. Soon enough, you will learn this, and we all know it happens way too often in high school. No matter what happens, even though it seems likes the end of the world, just know it isn’t.

Don’t worry about your weight or what your body looks like ever. Have confidence. Eat and wear whatever you want to. You have the rest of your life to worry about things like that. No matter what you look like, you are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. Focus on inner beauty. Smile often. A smile is the best accessory you can wear. Learn to love yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.

Don’t stress over a bad test score or grade, and don’t give up. If you put in enough time and effort in, anything is possible. Always push yourself to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Don’t worry about what others think of you ever. This is so important because in high school, most people feel the need to impress or be approved by other people. You don’t need to be. Be your own person. Do what makes you feel happy. Know you’re worth, and know that your individuality is what makes you special and unique. Never change yourself for someone else. Never let a guy tell you what to do or who you should be. Never pretend to be something that you aren’t. Don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable doing, no matter what anyone else says. Peer pressure should not be a thing, and don't fall for it. If you ever don’t feel comfortable with what you’re doing, don’t do it. If anyone says anything about it, realize they might not be the best influences on you. Make good choices, and don’t have any regrets. Try new things. Figure out what you like and don't like. You only get one chance to do your high school years right, so realize what is important and what you should be doing with your time. Focus on schoolwork. Go to all of the dances, participate in school rallies or events and cheer on all of the different sports teams, dressing all out for the different planned themes. Be the best friend you can be. Your high school friends will always be there for you. Be kind to everyone. Care for others. Avoid drama. Laugh often. Don't take everything so seriously. Love and appreciate your parents. Tell your grandparents you love them often. Be thankful for the life you have and the opportunities that are available to you. Always remember that your big sister is always there for you.

Love you to the moon and back,

Your big sister