Dear Little Sis,

Being the first to leave the house didn’t hit me until I watched you disappear down the hall of my dorm floor. It didn’t settle in until I was standing there in an unfamiliar room, with bare walls, and not a touch of home. For a moment, I thought I couldn’t do it. Being your big sister has been my biggest blessing, but how could I do it away from home? As I stood there unpacking my things I wondered if this whole thing was registering for you like it was registering for me. There weren’t going to be anymore after-school talks while laying in bed. No more crazy car rides with the music so loud we had to scream to hear one another. And what about our dance parties while we got ready for school in the morning? Gone.

I know that we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but as I was standing there alone in my dorm I couldn’t stop every good moment we’ve had together from rushing back to me.

As I am going into my third month of college I’ve realized how much you have actually grown up on me. Seeing you every day helped me preserve this image of you that only I wanted to see. You were my little sister, and that’s where I kept you. Let’s face it though, you aren’t so little anymore. In the blink of an eye you have grown up to be this amazing young woman that I am so proud to call my sister. You have achieved so much for where you are in your life and I can only imagine what the future is going to bring you. It has been hard for me to be away from you because as your big sister all I want to do is protect you from the world. Although, the reality of the situation is that I was doing it to protect myself from the fact that you are growing up and becoming more and more independent.

I’ve missed you each and every day since I got to college. Even though I am not just a bedroom away anymore, I hope you still know that I will always be your biggest fan. I support you in every decision you make, and know wholeheartedly that you are putting your best foot forward in this world. I know one day the roles will be reversed, and you will be the one watching me walk out that doorway, but remember that no matter how many miles stand between us, I will always be your big sister and will be there every step of the way. You have big dreams, and I want to see you achieve all of them.

Mom and Dad weren’t kidding when they said that one day we would be best friends. I don’t say this enough, but you truly are my best friend. On my worst days you always seem to make it better, even while I’ve been away. No matter where either of us go in life I promise to be by your side. Although being away from you has been one of the hardest things I have ever endured, I know nonetheless you are persevering and don’t need your big sister watching your every move. That first day when I watched you walk away, what made this all so surreal was that in the blink of an eye I watched you grow up. That had meant though, that I had grown up as well. It might be my time to be out of the house little sis, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still have your back. I promise to call. I promise to be home when I can. I promise this won’t change anything. Go out and be the best person I know you can be. You’ve already made me the proudest sister out there. Remember I’m here for you no matter what, and that I love you so much. Thanks for being the best sister a person could ever ask for.

Until our next adventure,

Big Sis