This one goes out to my clothes-stealing, social-media obsessed, always sassy little sister.

When you were first born, you were just a speck in my world; an annoying nuisance that stole all of mom and dad's attention. It wasn't until at few years later that I fully realized how much power came with being older.

Slowly, you became more interesting to me. Your size was intriguing as I soon found that you made a great life-sized doll. Talent shows, fashion shows, plays and musicals, I was your vocal coach, your director and most importantly, your boss.

As I entered middle school, however, there was a disconnect. We were clearly in two different worlds, five years apart, and had nothing in common. You thought boys had cooties, I was writing up fantasies of a first kiss in my diary.

I'm not sure when it happened, but with time and maturity, you became a real person to me. You became someone I could confide in, even if you couldn't yet relate to my situation.

You became someone I looked to for approval and advice, despite the age gap. I could cry to you, laugh with you, gossip with you and then I left.

It makes me sad, the fact that just as we seemed to reach a peak in our relationship, I graduated. Just as our car rides with the music turned up, our shopping trips, or our Netflix marathons became some of my favorite things, I had to leave it all behind.

What's even worse, I won't be there while you're in high school. I won't be able to stop you from making stupid decisions, getting your heart broken or becoming friends with the wrong people.

I can't tell you that "no, that senior boy doesn't like you for your personality."

Or that "the homecoming dance will never be fun."

Or that "no good things happen in stairwells during school when you should be somewhere else."

I can't remind you that having more followers/likes on Instagram doesn't correspond to the real world.

Or that three sips of a beer doesn't get you "drunk" so don't try to act like it does.

I can't laugh at you when you make a huge deal out of who's football jersey you will wear to the homecoming game, even though no one actually does that.

And I can't tease you when you get your first detention for dress code.

I can't warn you that girls can be vicious, secrets spread like wildfire, and your reputation will follow you around like an unshakable shadow for the next four years. 

Let me correct that. I can and I will tell you all these things, but over the phone.

I can't actually be there to make sure you follow through, but that's okay because I know it is also important for you to make your own mistakes.

To be honest, I'm just afraid that we're going to have that disconnect again like we once did.

I know how easy it is, especially as we get older, to get caught up in the whirlwind that is our personal lives. Drama, worry, excitement, boys, gossip, parties, grades, sports will all be pushed to the forefront of your mind, and I'll become the distant speck that you were to me when you were born.

Just remember, even if I'm not there, I am always here. No matter how many fights we get in, like the one we had just this week, or what dumb decisions you might make, you will always be my sister.

You will always be a constant in my life and no matter how much changes for you in these next few years, I hope I can be the same in yours.

Xoxo,

Your Future Maid of Honor (Don't get it twisted, I'm getting married first)