I don’t know if it was just me, but when the reality hit that I was actually going to have not just one, but two stepsisters, I had mixed emotions. I was of course excited because I had always wanted a sister, but a part of me was a little jealous and very nervous. I think the jealousy was just because I was so used to be my dad’s only daughter and had grown up always being “daddy’s little girl” and I was so afraid that I would be forgotten about by him, but now I realize how ridiculous I sounded. The nervousness was nothing but me being afraid of how you would be, what you would think of me, and if we would get along, but I’m so glad we do. I never thought I would ever have a stepfamily so this whole thing has taken a little getting used to, but I’ve thought of you as family ever since our parents met.

I’m so thankful for the both of you and I wouldn’t want anyone else as sisters. You didn’t have to accept me, but you did, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I know I’m not the easiest person in the world to get along with, I probably seemed like a bitch when you first met me because I barely talked, and when I did, it was only to my dad. First impressions aren’t my strong suit. But you overlooked that, or at least you made it seem like you did, and here we are now.

I just want to say thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for always being there when I need you even if you have to make sure I don’t have a dead body. Thank you for forcing me to go shopping and try on clothes because God knows I would live in a t-shirt and sweatpants if it weren’t for you. Thank you for bringing my nephews into my life and letting me see what unconditional love for a child really is. Thank you for driving my dad insane with me and teaming up on him with me during arguments. Thank you for being my free therapist, even if our therapy is just sitting around the table drinking wine and complaining about anything we can think of. Thank you for understanding what I’m talking about when I “joke” about dropping out of school to become a stripper because you know how rough college is too. Thank you for being more than a friend, but for being the best sister that I could ever ask for.

I never thought that I needed you, but now that we’re all a family, I don’t see how I dealt with everything without you. I know I’m not the most vocal or sentimental in the family, but even though I don’t say it much, I just want you to know that I love you and I appreciate you so much. So thank you.