Dear Big Sis,

Did you ever think that we would get to this moment? Where we were finally friends and didn’t want to tear the other one’s head off? I honestly thought it was going to be impossible. Yet, it only took a few thousand miles between us and a little time to realize how much we both mean to the other. Isn’t it annoying how right mom was all of those years telling us how much we were going to miss the other and how we should appreciate our sisterly bond? Ugh, she’s probably innerly gloating for a lifetime. I confess that a part of me will always regret that we didn’t become closer sooner, before you left for college. However, now that we’re here, it was definitely worth the wait.

There are a few things I would like to officially say how appreciative I am for.

Thank you for showing me how to straighten my hair.

Thank you for (begrudgingly) letting me borrow clothes from your closet.

Thank you for showing me how to wear them right.

Thank you for making the mistakes first in front of mom and dad so I know what not to do.

Thank you for the small moments (in between the fighting) where we would bond simply because were sisters.

Thank you for building forts with me and then painting each other’s nails inside them.

Thank you for making the first move and reaching out to me when you left for college to say how much you missed me (I’ll always remember how excited/weirded out I was to get that text from you while sitting on the school bus).

Thank you for teaming up against mom and dad with me sometimes.

Thank you for giving me boy advice.

Thank you for being one of my best friends.

I have always and will always love you. With that said, there have been moments where I’ve wanted to strangle you (as I’m sure you have wanted to with me as well). I can admit wholeheartedly that I was probably a brat, but you’ve got to admit that you were a know-it-all sometimes. We all have ours vices. However, despite every bickering, nasty, dramatic argument, I wouldn’t have rather done it with anyone else.

It’s more than just blood, you’re basically my other half. I wouldn’t be the same without you. You’ve been there through everything, you know me inside and out, and you still love me through it all. You may not know it, but I always look up to you. I can admit now that I used to annoy you. Especially when we were kids and I followed you around and bugged you and your friends because I thought you were cool.

Years later though, nothing has changed. I still think that you’re “cool” as well as strong, bold, decisive, smart, dedicated, beautiful, and passionate. The best part? You don’t even fully realize or understand that you are all of these things. You could probably agree with this list. However, most people are too self-conscious to notice the best qualities about themselves which means that you don’t always see what I see. I can testify to all of these characteristics. Even when you think you are at your weakest, I only see strength. When you are at your lowest point, I only see compassion. When you have to make the hard decisions, I only see your determination and admire you more for it.

As I said, it may have taken some time (about 16 or so years), but when the moment came when we finally understood and fully appreciated the bond that two sisters share, it was nothing short of breathtaking. You are one of my closest confidants, you are my role model, you are my constant support, and you are my forever best friend (no matter how cheesy that sounds).

Love,

Your Little Sis

P.S. I can’t wait to be an aunt to your kids and you to mine. If either of us has two daughters we may have to endure some fighting, but at least we know that we’ll be right eventually, just like mom.