To My Younger Sister,
I don’t remember when it was that I became thankful for you, but I certainly remember the years that I wasn’t. I remember so well how you would crash my floor-full of intricate Barbie towns, demanding to play. I remember how much you cried, all the times you told on me for hitting you back, and I remember Mom telling me how you would be my best friend one day. I swore she was wrong, but it turns out, she was right.
You are kind; you are sincere and intentional to those around you. You are so smart and so athletic; I don’t know many other girls that can play three sports and ace tests all at once – oh, and your makeup is perfect the entire time. You have a huge heart for people; you were a child that cried when other people were hurting, and that didn’t want anyone to ever be mad you.
I’m partial to you, but if I weren’t your sister, I would still say these things. They’re true. I have to stop myself from saying, “You’re a really great kid,” because that isn’t true anymore. You are a really really great almost-woman. I can always count on you to run to Sonic with me at 12 at night and listen to rap music way too loudly. I can always count on you to be mad at anyone I’ve ever dated that didn’t treat me just right. I can always count on you to tell me when I’m wearing something ugly. Thank you for always being honest with me, even if it might hurt my feelings. I am forever grateful for late nights in the bed, talking about boys and tearing up and contemplating sneaking out to get food. You are my partner in crime, my favorite companion, and a very big piece of my heart. Life doesn’t seem quite right when you aren’t around. No matter the time, the place, the situation, I know you will always be a constant for me.
I’m so excited to know that, in the future, we will be even closer than we are now. One day, you’ll be my maid of honor, an aunt to my children, and I will get to be the same for you. As the older sister, I’m supposed to be a role model for you. I didn’t realize until I was older that, while I am your role model, you are mine too. You are only 16, and you are so many things that people don’t achieve by the time they are 60. You are a gift to me.
I love you. Don’t ever change, I demand it.
Your Very Blessed Older Sister
