My sweet, fun, crazy, carefree little mini-me, don’t be so hard on yourself. You, yes you, are doing extraordinary things even though you don’t feel like you are.

When you feel like you just aren’t living up to everyone’s expectations.

Remember you always live up to mine. You don’t have to be the smartest, the most athletic, the most beautiful, or the most anything for that matter. Just be you and that’ll always be enough for me. I’ve loved you since you could only cry and drool on everything and that has been my expectation since. With that being said, you are at least doing better than that.

When Mom and Dad are over-the-top, screaming, red-faced, you-will-never-leave-the-house-again, mad at you.

I’ve been there and believe me when I say it is NOT pretty. You will cry and slam your door, text all your friends about your tyrannical crazy mean parents who all but beat you, refuse to come out of your room even though you are starving and cry some more, but it won’t last forever. I know when they are that mad at you from sneaking alcohol or getting caught halfway out your window, that you feel like you are the biggest screw up in the entire world, but you’re not. It’s their job to be mad at you, but they won’t be mad forever.

When our parents finally forgive you… and you do it again.

I know, I know. You’ve screwed up big time… again. There is absolutely no way possible that our parents will forgive you... again. But believe me, when I say they will, I know from personal experience. They may yell a little louder, ground you for the entire summer, including that one trip you have been planning and dying to go on, and even all but kill you with their laser beam you-better-feel-guilty eyes, but it’s not the end of the world. They are hard on you because they love you and know your potential. Learn from your mistakes and move on, you have bigger and better mistakes waiting for you. Don’t stress too much about it. Have fun, be safe, and learn everything you can from Mom and Dad, they actually kinda know what they are talking about.

When your Prince Charming turns out to be a toad.

I’ll be the first to help you eat a quart of Ben and Jerry’s, cry, and even burn his old things over an almost ritualistic fire. I’ve been there and I know how much you wanted his words to ring true. I want that for you too, but I’ll be there when his sweetness turns to a forever droning croak that could break even the smallest of hearts. I’ll be your shoulder to cry on and vent to, but then you must get up, wipe your tears, and go show the world exactly what he is missing. It’ll hurt like hell, but I promise you that one morning you will wake up and he won’t be the reason your pillow is wet. You will love again my huge hearted sister. Someone someday will come along and deserve that heart full of love you have, but don’t fret if it takes a few toads along the way.

When your Best Friend betrays you.

This heartbreak will stun you, enrage you, and even drive you to your catty freshman self you try to keep hidden (don’t worry, we all have one). Throughout your life, you are going to go through friends almost as much as boys. People change and not always in a way you would like. When your so-called best friend turns on you, breaks the number one rule in the girl code handbook and dates your ex or even just that cute upperclassman you called dibs on but don’t know his name, or even worse, becomes friends with your arch nemesis. Don’t worry, karma will get her. I know it’s hard to let karma take the reins of your revenge on your ex-best friend, so I will give you 24 hours. During this time, you can be catty all you want, cry, vent, even tweet if you really feel it necessary (although I strongly advise against it, I will still favorite it and cheer you on in the background). After this time is up, take the high road. It’ll be hard to turn your sneer into a smile and keep your inner mean girl at bay, but it’ll be worth it. People will look up to you, even want to be your friend because of it. You deserve a better friendship than that and you will get one, I promise.

When you feel like I’m not there for you.

Although, I would rather believe you always know how much I love you and have your back, I know that sometimes you just might not feel like I do. Just know this, I am your biggest fan. No matter how busy I am, how long it’s been since I’ve seen you or talked to you; I will always have your back. Life may get crazy sometimes and I may go M.I.A for my own sanity, but I’ll come running if you need a friend, a boy-bashing brigade, a shoulder to cry on, a dance in the kitchen and eat tons of food at 3 A.M. partner, or even just a listening ear. I am here. Even when you don’t like what I’m saying, I am here. Just because I may not be telling you what you wanted to hear, doesn’t mean I am not on your side. I’ve been where you are and know that sometimes the best advice is the hardest advice to accept.

Never forget how much I love you and how much you mean to me. When the world throws everything it can at you, you may fall down. You may feel like everyone is working against you. You may think you just can’t do anything right. But I am here to pick you back up, to work with you, and to remind you that you may make mistakes, but you are doing great extraordinary things. I am and always will be proud of you.

Love always,

Your Big Sister and Biggest Fan