Hey… We aren't really the sentimental type of sisters, but I feel in this situation it is necessary.

You never got any of your lasts. 13 years of work leading up to these moments, and you got nothing. No prom, no watching them update the numbers on the senior countdown sign, no baccalaureate, no dreadful and boring graduation rehearsals, no graduation, no senior week. Yeah, I know I just upset you even more than you already were as I reminded you of this. But there are things to look forward to that might make missing these lasts a little bit better.

In the fall, you're going to your dream school, seven hours from my school (no I'm not crying, it's allergies). And when I left for my dream school in the fall of 2018, it's almost as if all of those lasts didn't even matter to me. When you go to college, your life changes in so many different ways. There are for sure some ups and downs, but the experience all together makes you laugh about how much you cared about high school.

I'm not ignoring the lasts, of course – I'll always have those memories and I love them – but college is where it really begins, and as you sit and wish you had these last high school moments, I hope you can think of your future at High Point and how amazing it will be.

You're one of the most mature, independent, and intelligent people I know, and I'm proud I can call you my sister. You're not getting a graduation ceremony, well, you are, but let's face it: virtual graduation is sitting on our couch flipping your cord to the other side as our dog barks at a squirrel, so maybe you don't even hear your name.

So, hey, let's say our dog ruins that moment of hearing your name, or the WiFi goes down.

Here's my graduation speech to you:

Our town sucked, it really did. I wish I could see you walk across that stage and show everyone what a gorgeous and successful human being you are, but you can't. So, I'm gonna tell you and everyone that reads how extraordinary you really are.

You grew up from this young girl with dark eyeshadow and ombre hair to the most stunning person in the world. You never let anyone tear you down, you speak your mind – which has its negatives – but it also shows that you don't give two sh*ts on how people view you. You walk across this Earth with so much confidence, even through all the absolute hell this town brought us. You've always been a little much, but in a good way (usually), and that is what makes people fear you. People don't know how to be as strong as you. You don't need anyone to make you happy, because you live your life the way you want to, and who cares what people think?

You took it upon yourself to take college courses instead of being at our high school, which prepared you for what you are heading into in the fall. Let's be real here, coming from a current college student, AP classes mean absolutely nothing and do not prepare you for college the way that they are expected to, so the fact that you were able to already get a college mindset in you before you move in is amazing and super beneficial, which will help you succeed further than others in the fall. You've never given up. People have tried to tear you down, and you have always just kept pushing. You are the definition of "pick your head up darling, your crown is falling." Because, always, no matter what the situation is, you get up, and you survive and become stronger.

You have the kindest heart, even though we joke that you're cold-hearted, you aren't. I've seen you say and do such things that really shows what a kind person you are. Do you know who wears their heart on their sleeve? You. You don't sugarcoat things when I'm being dumb over a boy—you tell me to grow up. And people hate that. They absolutely hate it, because they don't want the truth. They want to hear what will make them feel good; that's not being nice, that's being a liar. You aren't a liar, you care about everyone around you and want them to realize that what they are upset is stupid and that they're better than that.

You chose amazing people to be in your life. It's taken trial and error, and trust me I've been there, but you genuinely have good people that care for you and love you. I think the people around you are honest friends for life. Not like some people think their high school friends are—they'll be in for a rude awakening, but you won't. Because you know the people you want in your life and you do absolutely everything to keep them and have a strong friendship.

Hayley, I really wish I could be hugging you after your graduation ceremony. I wish everyone could see, one last time, what an absolutely amazing person you are. People will watch you as you all grow up and be envious of who you've become and what you are doing with your life. You're amazing, and you should be so beyond proud of yourself.

I'm so beyond excited for your future, and I can't wait to report about your success one day on national television. *fist bump*

Never forget who you are and who you are becoming.