Dear Baby Sister,

I don’t recall too much about when you were born, but I do remember this: decorating the house from top to bottom in ballerina pink party streamers, consuming an ungodly amount of carrots dunked in peanut butter while anticipating your arrival, helping Mommy in bringing the first of your warm bottles full of that thick, funky smelling formula stuff when you finally came home, and holding you for the very first time. I never thought that a human being could be so petite and that I could love that same human being so unconditionally.

When Mom and Dad brought you home, I knew my life was going to transform for the better instantly. Hannah and I both knew it. I immediately claimed you as my “peanut-in-crime.” That statement still holds true 13 years later. Without you, I’d be overwhelmingly lonely. Who would I make fun of oddball strangers with or force to go on bike riding adventures with me? Your absence would ruin me. There’s something about a younger sister’s presence that makes any situation more eventful and adventurous, due to the way my brain shapes around one of a youngster like you, full of imagination. If you were to retire my side, my everyday fun would screech to a halt, like the brakes on our Schwinn bikes when we get too close to the street, and I would be eternally broken.

A little sister is someone that will always have your back, in even the worst of situations. “Don’t tell Mom” is followed religiously, especially when we’re in trouble. Even if the trouble is mental and not as much physical, you are always there. I’ve always wanted a dog to someday to serve as a therapy companion, but let’s face it, you shed less, are less smelly, and I don’t even need to take you out to pee.

You have a unique radar, and it blows my mind. I could be one mile away when a single tear drips to the earth, and within seconds you are already sprinting to me with comforting arms wide open. I am thankful for you the most because you serve as the glue that holds our family together.

Your giggles, your chocolate chip mini muffins in the morning, your adoration for those YouTube guys that we all keep hearing about, your electric smile when you try a new dress on and paint your nails that glittery turquoise color, your hazel eyes and how they light up while you talk about something you’re really excited for or passionate about, your willingness to greet every soul you meet or pass by in an attempt to brighten their day even by the slightest are what make me so proud to be your sister.

I wish to express my love for these characteristics of yours in one hundred different ways. Although you might not see it, you truly are perfect to me. A little sister is such a precious gift, and I am unbelievably blessed to share with you our crazy and dysfunctional lives.

Here is my advice to you. Please don’t ever change yourself because you feel as if you’re not enough or because somebody told you that you were anything but enough. You are enough, little sis. You are enough to me and to the hundreds of others. You are my favorite little nugget, and that is who you are always going to be. If anyone from school, church, or in the general public makes a crack at you, send them my way. Whether you appreciate it or not, I am very protective over you. I dare somebody to mess with us.

Overall, you're a pretty great kid. Thank you for being you, I love you.

Love always,