Hey Buddies,

I just want to say that I miss you both more than words can say. While I’ve been away at school, I’ve yet to meet anyone who can make me laugh and smile as much as you two can. With the three of us living in different states, it’s hard to remember what it was like when we all lived at home, and yet, when we are all together again for holidays, we fall seamlessly back into our old habits. I can’t say enough about how much you both have done for me in my life. I know I make a lot of jokes about being the “forgotten middle child,” and I need way too much attention. However, in reality, being the middle child has given me the best role model to look up to and best play-mate a girl could have.

Having two sisters is such a gift, but having an older and a younger sister is an even greater one. I got to watch my big sister fearlessly tackle so many firsts in life, and that made me believe I could do the same. I got to watch my little sister as she tackled those same firsts, and it made me feel so loved when you turned to me for advice. Being only three years apart allowed us to connect so well on so many different levels. Our mutual love for Harry Potter, the ocean, and food provided us with endless conversation and laughs. Almost every day, something happens that makes me think of you guys and all of the crazy things we’ve done.

I love being the middle child. Some people would call me crazy for this, because how could I ever compare to the first born or the baby of the family? To this, I say, why be either of them when you can have them as your best friend? As the middle child, I’m close in age to both of you. Growing up, I could hang out with the coolest big sister and pretend to be a grown up, and of course, I could borrow your clothes! On the other hand, I could hang out with the coolest younger sister and know you would play with stuffed animals with me, and of course, I could borrow your clothes! See, that’s the beauty of being the middle child. No matter my age, I had a triple closet; all of your clothes fit me. Sure, we’re grown now and are often mistaken for triplets, and you guys can claim a triple closet, too, but there was a time when only I could fit into everyone’s clothes, and it was like my own super power.

Speaking of super powers, I’ve got another one for you. They say the middle child often feels ignored. Did you ever wonder why the middle child is often the funniest? It’s because we are constantly looking for ways to get attention. I’d like to thank you guys for giving me the power of humor (most of the time). Thanks for laughing at my endless funny jokes and telling me to shut up when they weren’t. Thanks for buying me joke books to feed the habit and cracking a smile as I proceeded to read every single joke in the book. (Why didn’t the surfers go surfing?) Most of all, thanks for making me laugh in return, at literally anything. As you know, it really doesn’t take much.

Alyssa, my big sister, biggest role model and first best friend, you are the strongest person I know. You inspire me every day to reach for the stars and stay true to who I am. Kayla, my lil’ sis’, you are my partner in crime and the one who can make me laugh like no other. Your brilliance is beyond your years, or even mine for that matter. You’ve accomplished things I never dreamed of at your age. You teach me that if I set my mind to something, and put in the work, there are no limits to my potential.

If I wasn’t the middle child, that means I wouldn’t have either one of you, and that’s not a life I would ever want. I love you buddies. Hugs and kisses from your little/big sister.

xoxo

- Buddy