Hey little sister,

I just wanted you to know how highly I think of you. I can always count on you to laugh at those really corny jokes I tell and to be a listening ear if I am feeling down. It is so hard to believe that last year around this time, we were only still getting to know each other! Many deep conversations and late nights later, here we are. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Jamie and I have always told you that you were basically mature enough to be our age, despite our four-year age difference. You are so intelligent and mature to be as young as you are – I know you are smarter than me, anyways. You could out math me any day. Then again, that isn’t giving you much credit given my math skills (haha).

I hope your sophomore year is going well. I wish I could be there to encourage you more, but I guess it makes the time we do get to spend each together all the more memorable. There are a few things I want you to know in this open letter because I think they are so important!

You are so loved. I have never met anyone like you. You always make people feel at ease when they are around you. You are pretty easy to get along with too, which is always nice. Your bright and shining personality makes me so happy to have you in my life! You are going to do so many amazing things and I can’t wait to see what they are!

Don’t worry. I know you like to plan things because I also like to do that. We have some things in common in the overthinking category. Well, the good news is that even though everyone is telling you high school will fly by (and when it’s over, it will feel like it did), you don’t have to have everything perfectly planned out yet. You have time to figure out, with God’s guidance, what you are being called to do.

You are beautiful. You have a contagious smile and a laugh that makes me want to laugh, too. And I will tell you that you ARE photogenic until you decide to believe me. You have a natural beauty that no make-up will be able to compete with.

Lastly, Happy 15^th Birthday!! I hope that this year you get to see amazing things and grow in your faith. I can’t wait to hear about all that goes on in year 15!

I love you so much, little sister. Thanks for being so awesome!

Sydney