Dear Baby Sister,
Let me start off by saying Happy 18th Birthday! I can’t believe you’re officially an adult and growing up. Even though you’re only a year younger than me, I will always see you as my innocent baby sister.
I’m writing you this letter on your 18th birthday because so many things will be changing for you soon. You’re off to college in August and everything is about to change.
Seeing you thrive in your senior year has been so amazing. I’ve seen you grown from the thick eyeliner “It’s not a phase, Mom” 13-year-old to such a strong leader in your senior year. Being at away at college, I missed a lot of your achievements this year, but I’ve never been so proud of my baby sister.
Here are some tips about what is about to come for you in the next few months:
Graduating is about to be the best day of your life so far. You wait and wait for the day, and then you walk across the stage so excited to be done. Enjoy it. The ceremony is boring, and you mostly sit around waiting for them to call your name, but enjoy it, soak it in, because it will pass by in a blink of an eye.
Enjoy the summer. Before I went off to Kent in the fall, I hated the summer. I just wanted it to be over so I could get out of the house and be on my own. Don’t rush things. Enjoy sleeping in your bed, snuggling all the pets, and all the “gross” homemade meals mom and dad make for dinner.
Don’t overthink going off to college. It is really scary, but it is also the best experience I’ve ever had in my entire life so far. You’re going to be a little shocked when going from our small town in the middle of a corn field to a college town with people and noise everywhere. However, you’ll do great, just don’t overthink all the little details. You’ll figure it out when you get there.
Get involved in college. The first week away at college can be really hard, but no matter what, you can do it. Find something to get involved with and have fun. You have such a strong outgoing personality and so much potential to be a strong leader, so embrace it. I admire how outgoing and strong you are every single day.
Never be afraid to call me. On the good days, the bad days, in tears or just bored out of your mind, call me. I’ll be three hours and two minutes away from you, but I will always make time to listen and talk to you whenever you need me. Never be afraid to reach out to me.
Have fun! Don’t overthink things too much or blow off things that might seem dumb or boring. Make new friends, get out of your dorm, and be a college kid.
Thank you for always being my rock, my best friend, and the best little sister I could ever ask for. You get me through every good and bad day, and I love you so much.
Love,
Your Big Sister
