Dear Little Sister,
I want to start off by telling you that you are one of the greatest blessings in my life. I adore having someone encouraging me to be a better role model, and also someone I can always count on. Your adventurous spirit and your immense dreams inspire me. Your ability to be my special and supportive sidekick is truly phenomenal. You are gorgeous, both inside and out. Your love for people and life encourages me to strive to be a better person. And while the world may tell you that in order to be great, you have to somehow be perfect...do not listen. Don't even give that thought one single chance.
Don't give into those people who tempt you to being someone you are not. You do not have to change to gain the approval of others. Don't give into that boy who does not love you, but just wants to take advantage of you. Do not let your friends tell you that you are not good enough. And most importantly, do not tell yourself that you are not worthy of an incredible life.
Remember that sometimes, those who seem like the most positive influences are often the most toxic. Surround yourself with people you wish to be a mirror image of; you eventually mold into those you spend the most time with. Choose your peers wisely, and your dates even wiser. In times where your integrity and safety are questioned, do not ever forget that the greatest power you hold is the ability to say "no."
Boys will be boys. They will all pretend to be harmless, wonderful, and loyal. You may come across one who seems to be so beautiful, kind and wise, but will find that he is quite the opposite. You may be tricked; sometimes the bad ones are the ones that look the most exquisite on the outside. The valuable ones are more difficult to find, and may take an extensive amount of time to find. You will deal with heartbreak. Someone will come into your life who will tell you that he promises to build you up, and instead he will crush your dreams. Life goes on. Eventually you will find a man who will love, cherish, and adore you the way you should be adored. Do not, I repeat, do not be too easy; let men you are interested in dig the deepest hole into your whole being before they have the opportunity to reach your heart, because that is the only way they deserve to find gold.
Friends may leave. Heck, half of the friends you have now may be gone in the next four years. But life continues, and you find new and more encouraging friends. It's not about how many friends you have, but it's about the quality of friends you have. Some friends may come into your life and stay for one year, while some will stay an entire lifetime. Choose them with two eyes wide open.
Do not ever stare at magazine covers, or beauty product commercials showing "perfect" women and believe that is how you are supposed to look. That is definitely not how you are supposed to look. You are incredibly stunning in every single way. No advertisement should ever convince you that you are worth less than rubies. You don't have to possess Vogue perfect hair, eyelashes, or teeth, or own a wardrobe full of designer clothing. The most important product you could ever carry is a beautiful heart, and you have just that.
Through whatever situation, good or bad, that you seem to be in, don't forget that I've most likely been there already. And while you may lose a boyfriend or best friend, I'll always stay; I promise you that.
