I can remember when mom and dad first told me that I was going to have a sister. They wanted me to pray during a barbecue at our house and announce it, but I was too chicken to say it. I was so excited that I was literally speechless.

That day, over 13 years ago to now, you've continued to leave me speechless. You're a gorgeous, crazy ray of sunshine that has lit up my life since the day you were born.

You push yourself in school and you're doing better than I ever have. You push yourself in the extra circulars, more than I ever have. You're rising above all the expectations that I set in school for you and I'm forever proud of you.

I'm proud of you for overcoming obstacles put in your way. You've pushed through friends that were toxic to you. You've rose above people telling you that you couldn't be better than the girl next to you. You've set the bar high for anyone that tries to be better than you.

Thank you for showing me what it took to be a big sister. You've shown me countless times that I have to filter what I watch or say around you. Thank you for making me grow up and become a bigger person. Thank you for rising above the expectations I've set throughout school and for making me proud. Thank you for making me your role model and helping me grow up faster than my peers because of it. Thank you for being such a good sister, even when I was crying my eyes out or screaming in frustration. Thank you for looking up to me despite my actions, and taking my mistakes as lessons.

I'm sorry for not creating such a close relationship with you when we were younger. I'm sorry for not including you when my friends were over and for pushing you away. I'm sorry for making you cry so much when we fought when were were kids. I'm sorry for not coming to all your band concerts and sports events. I'm sorry I can't physically be there for you whenever you need me, but I promise to be the best sister I can be for you from here on out.

I vow to be a phone call or text away whenever you need me, no matter what I'm doing. I promise to give you advice about friends, boys, and our parents. I will always be your biggest fan and supporter. I promise to be your best friend when you want me to be, but also the one who will give you the truth when you need to hear it. I promise to continue to set the expectations high so they will push you to be better than I ever was.

I hope that in the future we can create a better relationship and grow to be the best of friends.

As you grow up I want you to remember that nothing can hold you back from your dreams. If you put your mind to it, you can do it. Set your goals so high that you don't think you can reach them, and watch yourself as you go above and beyond what you ever thought you could. Remember that the school drama, bad friends, and stupid boys are only temporary. Before you know it, you'll be graduating college and we'll be planning your wedding. Things take time, don't try to rush them.

As mom always told us, I love you with all the granules of sand on the beaches, pieces of grass in the world, and droplets of water in the oceans.