Since the day you were born, we’ve been together, even if we didn’t want to be at times. When you were very little, you despised me (for no good reason except the fact that because I existed, you didn’t get all of the attention). I wanted nothing except for you to love me, and I still feel the exact same way.

Once we were old enough to fight more often and for actual reasons, usually it was play-fighting. Consequently, often that play-fighting would turn into a real fight. Despite this, we’ve basically always both known that we can depend on each other. In new situations, we would always stick close together just in case something bad happened.

Little sister, now we’re older and I’m so happy about the relationship we have today. I feel like I can tell you anything and everything, and I know you come to me in some of your darkest times. I love you so much, and it’s hard being separated, so here are some things I want you to remember while I’m away.

You are smart, so smart in fact that I constantly tell people how smart my little sister is. I know school is getting harder, and I know that we both know you’re capable of doing great, but I also know you have trouble staying motivated. Keep motivated because you are capable of so much and a large portion of those things will start with a good education.

Don’t let people push you around. You are so sweet and in some situations somewhat passive (even though in others you are extremely feisty), so I need you to look out for yourself sometimes. I can’t be there anymore to know when people are treating you crappy and give them the side-eye or yell at them for it. I know you have people that are looking out for you, but you need to look out for you, too.

I am so proud of you (and not only because you are following in my footsteps in so many ways). I’m proud of who you have become and what you have gone through. I’m proud of who you are to other people. I’m proud that you have been able to keep up with doing all your chores as well as mine since I’m not there anymore. I’m proud that you’re my little sister.

As much as I love your boyfriend, remember that relationships are only a part of your story. You are a proud, independent woman, and boys are great sometimes, but don’t let them mean too much. A boy that makes you cry is worth about as much as a small piece of dirt.

I miss you every day. Literally, our Snapchat streaks, even though I started them to remind you how long we’ve been apart for, make me happy. Just the fact that your phone has a different font than mine can bring back so many memories and happy thoughts. I love when you send pictures of the cats or tell me when something big happens, and I especially love when you take the phone from mom and talk to me nonstop until you have to go. I miss our sister outings, especially the ones to Taco Bell. I miss going to sleep in your bed when I’m crying over a boy or when I’ve watched a movie that was a bit too scary. In general, I just miss having you around all the time.

You are beautiful. I don’t know how often you doubt this, but I can’t even count the times that I’ve just pulled up a picture of you to my friends at college and asked them to look at how beautiful my little sister is. Always know that you’re beautiful, inside and out.

Finally, when you know I’m coming back home, please clean up the mess you’ve made in my room from stealing my clothes!

Just kiddingㄧ mostly.

Seriously though, I love you so much, and you’re basically my favorite person in the world. You’ll graduate in two years, and then we’ll see even less of each other. Once I go to medical school and you’re off to college our time will be even less. Promise me you’ll spend as much time with me as you can before that happens, because I just can’t imagine life apart from you for that long. I know I’m just an old lady and you could be spending time with your friends, but please try, for me.

You’re the only person that I’ve spent so much of my life with besides Mom and Dad. You are my mini-me, but you are also so different from me. You are the peanut to my butter, the Eliza to my Angelica. Most importantly, you’re my best friend, and I love you.