Dear AnBan,

The day you were born, I gained an eternal friend. Someone who would always be by my side, someone who would look up to me with endless love. You have taught me things I couldn't have learned anywhere else: how to love, share, compromise, and countless other things.

I see a lot of myself in you, and not just because you've stolen almost all of my clothes since I left for college. You and I are creators. I've loved watching all of your little paper creations turn into these elaborate schemes and I love all of the Minecraft worlds we sit around to build. There is so much creativity that flows from you and it's so beautiful to watch you grow and learn about how you want to express it. Remember when you wrote that poem about the earth? Probably not, it was a few years ago, but I still think about how thoughtful it was all the time.

I can't believe this year you'll be turning twelve, almost a teenager. Middle school is a weird time for kids your age. For me, it was very awkward and very uncomfortable. And while I believe it is super normal for these two things to be found in middle school hallways, it needs limitations and for me there were none. I feel as the older sister, I am obligated to provide tips on dealing with this, but I feel I only have mediocre suggestions. For starters, try to be less like me. People are mean; especially middle schoolers who need to feel like they have even an ounce of control in their uncontrollable lives. And just like me, you're a sensitive one. I can't tell you to just not take things seriously. That didnt work for me and it won't work for you. I can still remember some mean things people said to me that I attempted to shrug off (Also as I typed shrug, it autocorrected to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ which I thought you'd find funny).

Here's the truth though. You are absolutely beautiful, Anna. You are creative, compassionate, thoughtful, and an activist for animals and people alike. You are talented, and watching you play your first recital last weekend had me in tears out of pride. That's my sister. I'm so proud of you. There is absolutely nothing in this world that you cannot accomplish with hard work and I know that your future is so bright. Do not be afraid to leave behind anyone who says anything negative towards you. Don't shrug things off that you don't agree with and don't change yourself to please others if you yourself want to be happy. That's the best advice I can give you.

Finally, I want you to know that whether I'm at school or at home, I am always around to talk to you (unless its 6 in the morning when you're getting ready for school because I'm asleep and you know it, jerk). My ears and arms (unless I'm at school in which I mean... virtual arms?) are always open and you can talk to me about anything. I mean, absolutely anything. I love hearing about your daily updates while you're on the bus heading home from school.

Sincerely,

Sarah bear (Rightful Mayor of Loserville)