Dear baby sister,
It will be years before you’re able to read this (being that you are only two months old as I write this) but because a 21-year age gap between siblings isn’t exactly common, I want you to know what is in store for us as sisters. And in light of our wonderful and peculiar family dynamic, I want to tell you a few things to help you understand how important you are to me, and how lucky we are to have each other.
It is safe to assume that we will have a very unique relationship. I’m going to constantly feel the need to parent you, and you are going to think of me as a grown-up. And not in the adorable way that a two-year-old thinks that a 12-year-old is a “grown up.” You are going to know me as a real grown-up. A college graduate, living on my own, full-fledged adult. And I’m not going to lie; it’s going to be kind of weird. Assuming you read this in 10 years or so, I will most likely be married and have kids of my own by then. Wow, talk about perspective. One of the most important things I want you to know is that I am your sister, not a grown-up. Yes, I am a grown-up, but I will always be your sister first and foremost. You have plenty of grown-ups in your life, so I promise I will be a big sister to you, not a parent.
One of the realities of our age-gap is that we won’t be growing up together. Being 21 years older than you, I have already grown up. You didn’t get to witness my awkward formative years, full of braces, hair dye and a good amount of classic teenage angst. But I think that’s okay, because I get to witness and really appreciate all of your major milestones. In 18 years or so when you’re graduating high school and going off to college, I will wake up one morning and wonder where your childhood went. And then I will think back to when you lost your first tooth and had your first day of school, and I will be so grateful that I got the privilege of seeing you flourish into the intelligent and beautiful woman that I know you will be. And although there is little growing up left for me to do, I have a feeling that you will show me a whole new appreciation for life. As a grown up, sometimes you lose sight of the things that really matter. Whether it’s a game of floor lava or simply kissing an ouchie, you will be a constant reminder to stop and appreciate the little things.
With our sizeable age difference comes an interesting generation gap. My hand-me-downs will basically be considered vintage by the time you can wear them. (Don’t worry; I’ll save them for you.) You can help me learn how to use the iPhone 15 and I’ll show you how to play Pokémon on my old purple Gameboy Color. I’ll play my old CD’s for you and show you classics of my youth (Britney and Yoncè, duh) and you can show me your favorite Disney soundtrack (please, don’t let it be Frozen). Because there are so many generational differences between us, we will have so much to offer each other in terms of history and popular culture. We have a unique bridge amidst generations, just in-between the boundaries of “lame adult” and “wide-eyed child,” that allow us to see the world across generations and be able to really appreciate and acknowledge the differences.
Little sister, you are going to have so much to offer the world, and I can’t wait to see what you do with the opportunities you are given. I hate clichés, but the world is absolutely your oyster. You have so many people in your corner to support you. Trust me when I tell you that I have made all the mistakes you are going to make. Calling me is like a free glimpse into the future. I’ll tell you how to handle your first break-up like a boss, and I’ll warn you not to go get that nose piercing before you turn 18 (dad will not be a happy camper). So let this letter be my promise to you that we will weather our peculiar family dynamic, and love each other more for it in the end. I will always be your protector, friend, and most importantly, your big sister. I hope that you will always know how very much I love you.
