Let me start off by saying, I can not believe how old we are. I'm so done with this growing up thing and I need it to stop. But what's harder than figuring out I have to be an adult is watching all of you become adults too. Our conversations have changed from middle school gossip and complaining about high school teachers to my daughter's nap schedule and what college courses are unnecessary for your degree. I love talking to you though. I love that I get to learn who you are all over again, because you're not the same person and neither am I. But the thing that I really love is that we can still watch Gilmore Girls in our pajamas and gossip all night and eat cookie dough straight out of the container. Some things will never change.
But as much as things have changed, I couldn't be happier to have you guys in my life. When I had my daughter, you were the first ones in the hospital to meet her. You've been her biggest fans from day one. And you've been helpful in more ways than I ever imagined. I couldn't ask for better aunts for her. I also couldn't ask for a better babysitter when I need a night off. Through all the drama and craziness, you all have kept me sane.
This past year, we lost someone who was more important to us than words can describe. Some days it feels like she's still here and I have the urge to pick up the phone and call her. I'm glad that in those moments, I can shoot a text and we spend the day talking about her. I always thought that she was the glue that held us all together. And in a way, she was. She brought us together and made us do things that we didn't always think of as 'cool'. Even though we complained sometimes, I always had fun. After she passed, I worried we would all fall away from each other...for about a millisecond. I feel like we're closer than ever and I think she has a lot to do with that. I know she's watching over all of us; determined to keep us together in some way or another. But I know she's proud. We've all come so far in the last year.
On that note, I'm proud of all of you. I'm proud of you for getting that internship. I hate that you won't be home for the summer, but I promise to come visit and embarrass you by telling you repeatedly how proud I am. I'm proud of you for making it through your first year away from home. You did a lot better than I did my first year away. I'm proud of you for not knowing what you want to do yet. That sounds stupid but it's not. I'm happy that you didn't jump into some random major and pretend you were okay with it. I'm proud of you for taking your time to really decide what you want to do and where you want to be. And finally, I'm proud of you for finding yourself. I may not agree with all the choices you've made, but I am proud of you for daring to make such a drastic life change.
I guess my point is, no matter where life takes us, no matter how far away we are from each other, I'll always be there. I want to make sure you know that I'm proud of you and I love you. And when you ask our group chat if you should get a doughnut in the morning, I will always respond (and the answer will almost always be yes). I'm happy that the events of this past year, both good and bad, have brought us all so much closer together. It's nice to know that no matter how hard life kicks me, I'll always have my sisters to fall back on and that you feel comfortable having me to fall back on. I love you. Thank you for being not only my sisters, but my best friends.
