Dear Sister,

You were there to welcome me into this world. You were one of the first people to ever hug me, and even though you asked our mom to "return me," I know you loved me then, just like you love me now.

There is not a single person in this world who knows me like you do. You held me when I cried, over bottles, and over boys. You helped me get away with sneaky teen things and kept all of my secrets (well, most of them anyway). Although there were a few close calls, you never actually killed me when I stole your clothes and ruined them. And you always forgave me when I embarrassed you in front of your cool friends.

They say that having a sister is like having a built-in best friend. But that seems like such an understatement. Having a sister means so much more than that. It means always having someone in your corner, even if you're wrong. It means unconditional love, even through the fights and family drama. It means having someone to tell your secrets to. And, when you grow up, sometimes it means learning how to love from the other side of the world.

So thanks!

Thanks for always talking me off the ledge, when life is just too much to handle.

Thanks for talking me through my first heartbreak. I'll never forget when we sat in the backseat of the car while I cried, hair stuck to my face, snot running out of my nose. But you loved me anyway. You hugged me anyway.

Thanks for being my second mom, even when I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

Thanks for never leaving me behind. Even when your life gets crazy.

Thanks for always believing in me, especially when I don't believe in myself.

Thanks for teaching me what it means to be strong and ambitious.

Thanks for teaching me that I can survive any break up with the right girl-power song.

Thanks for always wanting the best for me. Even if I didn't see it at the time.

Thanks for staying up late to help me study for my social studies test in the fifth grade, even though you probably had much cooler teenage things to do.

Thanks for teaching me how to braid my hair, an invaluable life skill.

Thanks for holding my hand when we lost dad, and for crying on the phone with me when we lost grandpa.

Thanks for forcing me to face my biggest fears, like swimming in the ocean.

Thanks for teaching me that it's okay to be alone.

Thanks for singing Kelly Clarkson on the top of your lungs while we drive to nowhere.

Thanks for always eating fries off my plate at dinner, it taught me how to share.

Thanks for seeing right through my shitty friends, and always being mean to the ones who hurt me.

Thanks for loving the good ones like family.

Thanks for fighting with me, and teaching me to forgive.

And thank you for always being there, especially when no one else was.

Having a big sister is an irreplaceable experience. No relationship in the world is comparable. I'm thankful for all of these things, and so much more. You are everything. You are beautiful. You are my older sister, and I wouldn't have it any other way.