Ari,

Just a few years ago, you were my sworn enemy. I know, that sounds ridiculously dramatic, and looking back on it, it was. We used to get into the pettiest arguments over clothes, the bathroom, and the car; anything that pinned one of us against the other, no matter how insignificant. I remember not being able to spend more than a few hours with you because we’d be at each other’s throats by hour five. It was an emotional mess of a few years, to say the least.

Then, two years ago, everything changed. Through the college application process, you were there for me. You understood the annoyances I felt with mom constantly jumping down my throat and were only a venting session away. You knew how badly I wanted to leave Dana Hall, because you went through the same longing. That year, I realized how similar we are, and how alike we’ve grown together. And as we frequented our brunch dates in Brighton and our scary movie nights, I became more and more thankful for you.

Without you, Ari, I would have no idea how to do my makeup, how to dress, or how to wear my hair. I wouldn’t know left from right when it came to friendships or relationships. I wouldn’t have a secret language. I would be alone in fighting off two of the most obnoxious brothers on this planet. I would have no one to be a terrible person with, or to people watch with. I wouldn’t have anyone to have random bursts of nervous laughter with at extremely inappropriate times. I wouldn’t have a trustworthy partner in crime to make bad decisions with that reach far past redemption (get it). And above all, I wouldn’t have a best friend to call my very own sister.

So for all of these things that you continue to do and be for me, I thank you. Now, I think back on the time that I used to hate you, the time when you were my sworn enemy. And all I can do is laugh.

I love you, Oreo.

Love,

Socky