Big,

In just two weeks, you will be walking across that stage, reaching your hand out for your diploma, and earning your degree. You will finally be able to call yourself a college graduate, and that is the day you will enter the real world, leaving behind all the years of being a student. And now it's your turn to play teacher.

It's breaking my heart to know that you won't be a five minute walk from me, that I won't be seeing you at chapter, that you won't be at formal, that you aren't able to run up and catch me in a hug anymore, that there will be no more family dinners at Olive Garden, that there will be no more big/little dates, that there will be an empty space in our family stacks with me standing awkwardly off to the side away from your big and twin, that you're leaving this sorority as a whole. Knowing that I will be witnessing everyone reuniting with their bigs as the school year starts will hit me like a ton of bricks. It's already very hard for me to cope with. It is so unexplainably difficult not to shed tears as your special moment inches closer and closer, week by week, day by day. I pretend to joke around whenever you mention your graduation, but it's just a cover up because I don't want you to see me shaken up. I know I will completely lose it and cry a river during your ceremony.

You could end up teaching anywhere in the state, and just knowing you could possibly be so far away frightens me. But I'm proud of you. I've seen how hard you have worked to end up where you are today. You are so determined to teach, and are so passionate about your teaching. You inspire me to work hard so I can become as successful as you. I can't wait to take after you and become a teacher myself, I've been dreaming of this opportunity since I was young. I know you are ready for the world, and you're going to kill it out there. I'm excited for the day when I graduate and enter the real world myself, and you can teach me all there is to know.

It's upsetting because this is the only year we will be at school together, you were a senior when you took me. We only had a year to develop our relationship. I can't believe how close we've gotten in these short months. You always show your love, and I've become so attached to you, that it's harder to let you go. I will always cherish our memories that we made. But that doesn't mean we won't make more. I know for a fact that we will continue to get closer and closer, being big and little lasts for a lifetime. Just because you won't physically be here doesn't mean you won't be here for me spiritually and emotionally. I know that we will continue to text, call, FaceTime, and Snapchat. I know that we will continue to joke around and create more amazing memories. I know that we will see each other over the summer. I know that you will come back to visit (you better be, especially if I end up taking a little, or maybe even two!). I know that just because you are graduating, doesn't mean that you will stop being my big and I will stop being your little. I can't wait to see where the future takes us. You won't be leaving me behind. I hope you continue to support me throughout my hardships next year, just as you do now. I won't be with you physically to comfort you through your own hard times, but I will always be a call or text away if you need me, whether you're upset or just need to tell me something funny. Let's both focus on the positives instead of both crying about how much we'll miss each other next year. Promise me you won't ever forget about me. You will forever hold the title of my big. Remember, this isn't goodbye, but just the beginning of a new journey for you, and I will still be a part of it. I'll always be cheering you on.

I love you more than you'll ever know,

Little