Ever since I first held you in my arms when I was five years old, I knew that you were going to be someone very dear to my heart. When I first laid eyes on you, I was amazed at how small and little you were. I made it my personal mission to guard your heart and protect you from everything that I could prevent. I remember that you used to love me keeping you so close to me, you would follow me and all my friends around, your little tight curls bouncing when you ran to keep up. As you have grown up, some things have changed. You no longer enjoy me calling you cute 24/7 or kissing you on the forehead in public. You’re becoming a young lady. Every time I go home and see you, I swear you grow 3 inches. You have an extremely level head on your shoulders, and I know that you will make such wise decisions. As your big sister, though, I wanted to write this letter to reiterate to you how much you are worth and how much value your life has.

You’re beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

You have always been so gorgeous from the very first day. With your tan complexion, dark curly hair, and deep brown eyes - we have been nervous about boys since the beginning!! We all knew that the older you got, boys would come running to you. Now here you are in middle school, it’s starting way too soon, and I still don’t think we’re ready for it!!! I just want to remind you, though, that nothing a stupid boy thinks about you will ever be able to measure your beauty, for it is immeasurable. You are created in the image of our very own merciful heavenly Father...it doesn’t get any better than that. Be confident in yourself, for you couldn’t be a more beautiful person.

You’re worth more than rubies.

I never want you to look at someone and think, “I wish I could be like her,” because trust me I’ve done it, and it’s not worth it. You have perfect qualities that God crafted you, and only you, individually to have. There is no one in the whole wide universe that has the same worth that you do. Don’t spend your whole life wanting to be someone else and forget how awesome of a person you are yourself. My wish for you, is that you would look in the mirror every single day and be proud of the person staring back. If you make living for the Father your number one goal and not getting wrapped up in everyone’s earthly opinions, I truly believe that’s what you will do.

You can do anything you set your mind to.

You are a strong, determined young woman, and anything on the horizon is possible for you. Just create a dream, and go live it. If you want to pursue your athletic career (that you are so good at already), then stick to it. Whatever you put your mind to and you put forth the work, then you can be the best of the best. No one can hold you back. Not me, not mom and dad, not any guy, not your friends - no one. You are talented enough to go as far as you want. There are no borders for you.

You don’t have to stick to anyone. Be your own person.

One of my biggest fears for you, is that someone will come into your life and try to control you. Don’t let them. To be happy in this day and time, you must be content with yourself. While listening to other's opinions is very important, especially mine, don’t let others ideas overtake your own. It’s easy to lose yourself in the mix of everyone else’s plans for your life flooding in, but don’t let this happen to you.

Don’t settle.

Whether it’s friendships, a romantic relationship, a job you want, a college you want to go to, or anything else this life brings towards you, don’t settle. You are good enough to have anything the world has to offer you if you work for it. You should never have to lower your standards for anyone or anything no matter what it is. Raise your bar high, and make others climb up to your level. Not the other way around. If you must change something you believe in to make someone else happy, then you shouldn’t give them your time, because they don’t deserve it.

You’re priceless.

I mentioned your outside qualities before, but that is not the thing that is the most gorgeous about you. Your heart is so kind, and it cannot be surpassed by anyone on this earth. Your love for God shines through you so bright, and makes me so proud to be your sister. I have been amazed by your athletic abilities, and how well you do in school, but most of all I am impressed by how great a person you are. “You’re irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable.” You’re the one and only.

I love you.

"She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her."

Proverbs 3:15