Dear Little Sister,

So you’re a freshman.

Your first month of high school is going to be weird. You’re going to make new friends and you’ll lose some too. Some “friends” will turn against you. They’ll put boys first, parties first, drugs will be introduced, some might become pregnant because of some boy they thought they loved, and some might even pass, like my best friend my senior year.

High school is just different. You study harder, you play sports against better teams, you get frustrated because people don’t walk fast enough in the halls. It might be tough at times, but it will become easier with experience. Boys will like you. Like like you. Maybe even love you. And you might just love them back. They’ll ask you to dance since you no longer have cooties and maybe they’ll kiss you too.

Never forget who you are and who you want to be. Boys will come in and out of your life and they might change you too, in some way. Friends will ask you to do things you never considered. You might go for it, you might not. These so called “friends” might leave you in the dust if you don’t fall down the same path they were attempting to lead you on, but maybe it’s better that way.

You know, as your older sibling, I’ll always worry about you. You have meant the world to me since you came into it. I know your heart will break and I can’t always be there to prevent the pain, but know that I will always be there for you. I love you more than any boy could ever. I’ll be there for you through the loss of friends, the failed tests, anything you’ll need a shoulder to cry on for.

High school isn’t all bad, though. You’ll have your first kiss, your first love, your first dance, and your first car. You’ll make honor roll, maybe not high honors, but you’ll take it. You’ll find a friend in some of your teachers and you’ll meet people from all over the world. You’ll letter in your team and you’ll win your fair share of awards, academically or athletically.

High school.

I mean there’s not much else for me to say. Every experience is different. All I can tell you is that there will be some of the toughest times of your life this far, but there will also be moments you cherish forever.

Though I’m 200 miles away in college, Snapchat and iMessage will always be there for us when you need a little rant, a person to cheer you up, or a person to laugh with at the ridiculous things you and your friends got into.

Remember I love you and I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Your Loving Older Sister