Dear Little Sister;

What a miracle you are. You speak to me with my own voice; you stare at me through eyes shaped just like mine.

You are so like me. We share the same sense of humor and the same short temper. We both have a wicked laugh and we can spend hours laughing at our own jokes. Growing up, whenever I turned around, there you were. My little mini-me. You spent so much of your precious time searching for me and trying to stay near me. We have pranked each other, we have bonded together, and we have bullied our brother together. We have years of shared memories. When I left for college, I left a part of myself behind. It was you.

I have been spoiled by your presence in my life. I've had the honor of watching you grow and thrive. With an eight year age gap, I have always had a unique place in your life. At some points, I've been your second mother. Other times, I have been your best friend and closest confidante. I've babysat you countless times. You've grudgingly let me sleep in your room after I watched scary movies. You call me when your friends are being bratty teenagers. I call you when I want to laugh at our inside jokes. We're best friends. When we're mad, we're each other's worst enemies.

Now, you are officially a teenager. You're so much braver than I was at your age. You're bold, colorful, and fearless. Your audacity never fails to surprise me. How many 13-year-olds can say that they've sung their hearts out in front of a live audience at a concert? How many can say that they can play the guitar and the piano? You are the family musician. No one can deny that you have real talent, and when you sing, you capture everyone's attention. You write your own songs, and your music is meaningful and deep. Your soulful voice and beautiful melodies leave me in tears. Hello, Adele. Meet my sister.

This letter is a celebration of our relationship and a little word of advice. The advice goes like this:

1. When two of your friends form a clique, give it time. They'll get over it, and it'll fade faster than you think.

Let them sit together at recess. Let them text each other all day. Who cares? Relationships are seasonal, and seasons change.

2. Don't flirt with your friends' ex-boyfriends.

It never ends well. "Yeah, I don't care" is really code for, "Don't you dare."

3. When your friend says that s/he is mad at you, don't fret. Apologize and give it time.

Obsessing over what they think will only lead you to throwing yourself at them for attention. Just drop it. Once they realize that they're not getting anything out of it, they'll give it up.

4. Keep making music.

You're a prodigy; you're an artist. At 13, you're an accomplished musician. The world is a better place because of your voice.

5. Listen carefully when someone compliments you.

Listen, kiddo. You hate compliments. You blush and look away; you try to give a quick thanks and run for the nearest exit. Quit it. You are astounding. Quite simply, you are an extraordinary human. And you deserve to hear about it.