Dear Chicken,
Let me start by telling you how incredibly proud of you I am. You have accomplished so much in your short life and I know you will continue to do more. I will always be your number one fan in everything you do. You have grown up into such an incredible person, but there are still things I want you to always remember.
You are beautiful.
I don't care what anyone says. You are blessed with our family's amazing genes. I know that in this day and age you see these super models who are six feet tall and weigh less than I do, and you strive to be like them. Everyone is different. You, my dear, are beautiful even if you don't exactly look like them.
He may be dreamy but he is not the sun.
Yes, I did just use a "Grey's Anatomy" quote, but it's true. He is a great kid and I hope you both know that I am rooting for you two. I know he cares for you so much but never put him ahead of yourself. You are an amazing girl who deserves the world and then some more. If he can't deliver that to you then he doesn't deserve you. That being said, know that I am excited to meet him soon and I hope he's ready to see all your embarrassing baby pictures.
I get jealous of you often.
You're everything I wanted to be when I was 15. You're athletic and smart. You made your school's volleyball team as a freshman and I couldn't stop bragging to my friends about you for a week. You manage your extracurriculars on top of school and I never could quite grasp the hang of that. (Plus you still haven't gone through your emo phase yet which makes me happy for you. Those were some terribly embarrassing years for me. Let's just stay away from that phase.)
No matter what, I am always here for you.
We have our fights. We disagree. Oh, boy, do we disagree. Despite those arguments where we don't talk for days, I am always here rooting for you. You can always come to me in your darkest hour and I'll always help you out of that.
You are my oldest (yet youngest) best friend.
I have known you for 15 years, 5 months, and 24 days. Having a cousin is having a best friend for life. I cherish our memories that we've made. Everything from making mud pies in the backyard, to running across the street to play at the park, to traveling to California in a car for 24+ hours with the whole family. (Let's agree to NEVER do that again.) All of my best childhood memories involve you.
Don't forget to say thank you.
Say it often and sincerely to everyone. Keep that golden smile on your face at all times. It's amazing what a little politeness and a great smile will get you.
You are loved by everyone.
I know sometimes it may seem like the whole world is against you. I've been there and it sucked. You can't forget that you have touched so many lives. You leave an impact on everyone you come across whether you realize it or not. You have so many people who love you.
I may not say it enough, but I love you.
I really do. You are my baby sister. My little girl. My best friend. You're my beautiful, not so little cousin and I will fight for you no matter what. Whatever you do in life, never forget that I will always love you.
