Dear little sister,

First things first, even though you're taller than me, you'll always be my little sister.

You've grown up so incredibly fast and it's hard for me to believe you're already halfway through your first year of high school. It's going to go by fast, and next thing you know, you'll be a sophomore in college like I am now. I remember when you were just a baby and a toddler; you were the brightest little ray of sunshine ever. You were our little "Sammy Sunshine" (please don't hurt me for calling you that!) Then your life fast-forwarded to you being the teenage brat that you are now, and I still love you just as much. I know that right now your life is a little crazy and your self confidence isn't where it should be. Just know that it's completely alright for you to have the feelings that you are having right now. Since I'm not there to give you big sister advice, here's a few things: boys suck, you're beautiful, not every friend is real, learn to smile through the hard times, and I am incredibly proud of you for how far you've come and how far you're going to go. You are such an incredibly beautiful and wonderful young lady, and I am so proud of you. You are still just as much "Sammy Sunshine" as you were when you were 3-years-old, just with a few clouds in the way that I know you'll overcome. You are strong, you are sweet, you are smart, you are funny, you are beautiful inside and out, and I love you so much. Also, try not to give mom and dad too hard of a time with your teenage angst, they're just trying to help you out, even if they don't completely understand. If you ever need someone to talk to besides mom and dad, you know I'm just a text or phone call away. I won't always know what to tell you, but I'm willing to listen; I was once your age, at least more recently than mom and dad, so I kind of get what you're going through. Just try not to ask for help with math, because that'll just confuse both of us.

I know this letter is kind of short, but I know how you are so you probably need something like this at this point in time. I'll be home for break soon, kiddo, and I can't wait to see you and get into all kinds of mischief. I miss you more than you'll ever know and I think about you literally every day. I'm so glad that out of all of the people in the world, I got chosen to be your big sister; it is the greatest blessing in my life.

Love,

Your big sister