Dear Sissy,

There’s a picture of us sitting in a room in the house of you holding me while I slept. I think that the exact time that moment was captured in a picture really foreshadowed the type of relationship we would have. From day one, you have always been someone for me to lean on. I have spent countless hours late at night wondering what life would be like if I didn’t have you in it. We’ve never fought. Once. (Except over who gets to marry Sam Hunt but that’s besides the point.) I’ve realized that I wouldn’t be who I am today without a role model like you to look up to. You always let me hang out with you and your friends, even if it meant spending hours to play Barbie with me. Or when you would give up slumber parties because I wanted you to stay home with me. Those moments mean more to me than you will ever know and I cherish them in the same way that I cherish every laugh, cry, and sleepover you and I have had together.

You once said that I inspired you everyday. I still wonder how the person that I look up to could say that they are inspired by me. You make me a better person. You taught me how to think about others before myself and to be kind to those who may not be kind to me. You have been my everything since the first moment you held me in your arms and it’s crazy to think that I still look up to you and admire you the same way that I did when I just a toddler running around in a diaper. You went through tough breakups and mishaps with friends when you were in high school and utilized those experiences so that I could learn from them and not have to go through the same heartbreak that you did. Thank you for teaching me how to be strong and independent and how to work hard for everything that I want. You set the standards so high that I now work everyday to try to make you proud. I want to be the little sister you’ve always dreamed of having because you’ve spent your life surpassing every quality of dreamed of having in a big sister and made it better.

You aren’t just my sister. You’re my best friend. And I mean that truly and whole-heartedly. No one will ever compare to the position you hold in my life. In my biggest mistakes and my greatest accomplishments, you have always been the first that I would turn to. I think it was hard for me to find a best friend growing up because no one ever compared to who you are. You were there for me and loved me unconditionally, and for that, I am forever grateful. You have made this world an even more beautiful place and have made living such an exciting adventure. Thank you for supporting me even in my craziest dreams and never losing hope. In my darkest moments, you were there to make me smile. And whenever I was afraid, you were there to hold my hand.

I hated saying goodbye to you when I left home. I hated knowing we wouldn’t have another sleepover for months and that you wouldn't just be a short drive away whenever I needed you. But you pushed me and reminded me that where I was going was where I needed to be. You never let me be weak, and I will never know how to thank you for pushing me past my boundaries.

We come from an amazing family with parents that have always made our friends jealous. You’re the most beautiful, forgiving, kind-hearted, and genuine person I have ever met. The person you have grown up to be is all thanks to Momma and Daddy which means that, to me, you are their greatest accomplishment. You bring a light to this family whenever you’re around. You are my everything and the world would lack in beauty if it lost you. Thank you for teaching me how to love myself. But, most of all, thank you for being everything that you are and for being the greatest sister and friend I have ever known. God really did know what he was doing when he made you. And he really knew what I needed when he blessed my life with you.

With all the love in the world,

Little One