Dear Siblings,
You both know that you guys mean the world to me, and I would do anything for either of you, and that's why I'm writing this. There are a few things I would like to share that I have learned from my limited experiences. I won't pretend to be an expert, and I'd never say that I fully understand any of this, but a little heads-up never hurt.
Remember Your Firsts.
When I say your "firsts," I mean, remember all the special and important stuff that you've done. First job, first car, first kiss and so on. Firsts are always the most beautiful because your "seconds" are just silhouettes of what you have already experienced. They are different from your initial memory and less special by default. Make sure you are always looking back on these, even if they weren't perfect. They will be great stories to tell your kids one day.
Don't Quit Your Job.
DO NOT. You heard me. Don't make me turn into Mom! Always make sure you have a backup plan. Never leave a job before you have something else lined up. Not only will doing so make the job search incredibly stressful, but it also looks bad to have gaps in your resume. It will also be harder to keep up with your bills.
Do Your Taxes.
Doing your taxes is a confusing practice that is illegal to ignore. That means they're important. If you don't pay your taxes then you forfeit your refund and will most likely owe back taxes. Refund, you ask? YES! If you pay your taxes like a good citizen, then at the end of the year you get to file for a refund where they give you back any extra money you paid. It's a nice post-Christmas present each year.
Be Responsible.
Be responsible, not only for yourself, but also for the people you care about. Don't do drugs, don't drink and drive and don't let your friends do drugs or drink and drive. Just be sure to look after each other and be safe when you go out to have fun. It's also important to practice safe sex. That's right … No glove, no love. If you aren't ready to be raising your own little one, make sure that you're using some form of contraceptive. There are plenty of reasons for you to not be reproducing right now, but a big one is that it costs about $250,000 to raise a child until they are eighteen ... That's crazy! And make sure to ALWAYS get tested.
Finish School.
You don't have to go to medical school or major in something crazy like mathematics, but you do need to do something. Nowadays, a bachelor's degree is the new associate's degree. This means that employers are hungry for those who have degrees. Besides, I think it says a lot about you as a person to have accomplished something so grueling. Go to school, learn about yourself and your interests. This is the time to discover who you are and decide what you want to do for the rest of your life—or at least until you get bored and change careers like everyone else. Just don't take too long because in college, time is literally money.
Be Healthy.
Take care of your body. Make sure that you're always eating right and exercising because before you know it, the Freshman 15 will sneak up behind you. Literally. One day you will look behind you and realize that you're a lot more bootylicious than you remember. Plus, you'll probably live longer ... Which is cool.
It's Okay to Outgrow People.
As we get older, most of us grow up, but some of us stagnate a little. If you find that you have matured faster than your peers, or even that you are growing in a different direction, just know that it's okay to drift apart. You won't be friends with everyone forever and this only makes the people who are lucky enough to stick around that much more special.
Learn From Your Mistakes.
Always learn from your mistakes—you make them for a reason. Never leave a situation without gaining something, even if you have failed. Our mistakes are what make us beautiful—and the ability to forgive yourself and others for mishaps is an incredible skill that not even I have mastered.
Regardless of this letter, I know that you guys will need to experience things yourselves and make your own mistakes. I just hope to always be the voice in the back of your heads constantly reminding both of you to do your best and never give up.
Lovingly,
Your sister
