My dearest little one (yes, I will still call you “little” even if you’re taller than me…which you likely will be),

I don’t know who you are, what you look like, or what you are majoring in. I don’t know what town you grew up in, or what your dreams in life are. I don’t know if you prefer coffee or tea, chocolate or vanilla ice cream, Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. I have never witnessed your musical, athletic, or intellectual talents. I have never heard you vent about how much you love or hate a particular Netflix series. I have never seen your eyes light up when talking about something you love. I do not know a single thing about you. Little, you are a mystery to me.

However, even though there are a ton of questionsthat are currently left unanswered, there is one thing that I do know: I will love you endlessly.

I have six promises that I am going to make to you, regardless of who you are. I assure you that many more personal promises will be made between the two of us as soon as we meet – but these are some promises that I can make with certainty now, even while not knowing you.

1. I promise to support you.

Whether you sing soulfully in a rad acapella group, tear down the field playing a sport, or soak up the spotlight in your latest theater performance, I promise that I will always be in the stands with your name on a huge neon sign screaming, “That’s my little!!!”

2. On your worst days, I promise to come save you with your favorite Starbucks order and your favorite sandwich from GW Deli.

These situations could range from getting into a fight with your parents to performing poorly on an exam. Regardless of what has gotten you down, I promise to be there for you, delicious drink and sandwich in hand, to make your wretched day just a little bit brighter.

3. I promise to cram with you and send motivational texts during finals week.

Finals week is a dark and stressful one – but I will provide you with all of the love and support that you need to push through it.

4. I promise to always answer the phone.

It could be 4 pm or 4 am – it doesn’t matter. As soon as I see your name on the screen, I will answer and be there for you during any situation. Crisis with your final UW essay, not knowing what to wear to our formal, or needing to vent your frustration about the How I Met Your Mother finale? I’m there to talk to you any time, any day.

5. I promise that I will always brag about you and your accomplishments.

This promise is more of a warning, because I know for a fact that it will occur – especially if you’re a modest person like me. This is simply a motherly instinct that I will not be able to prevent. I will never keep my mouth shut about my amazing little, all of the incredible things she has achieved, and how proud I am that she’s mine. I know you’ll accomplish so many outstanding things on this campus, little; and I can’t wait to tell everyone all about them.

6. I promise to be the best Big that I can possibly be.

I promise to be your best friend, role model, mentor, and biggest support system all wrapped up in one, loving package.

You already mean the world to me, little. Now I can’t wait to give the world to you.

Until we meet,

Your Big