Dear sweet sissy,

     For a while, I disliked the fact that you and I were as opposite as night and day. You are the day. The sunshine, positive, sweet and caring person. You always think the best of people, your like mom in that way.  I am night. I am a little more harsh, not as positive and a lot more stubborn. We clashed on quite a few things growing up. I didn't want to talk to you about anything of substance and I was always saying you copied me.   

  Now you are refreshing and I realize how wrong I am!  Your take on the world is something I so cherish these days. You give me a completely different way of seeing things. You remind me of all the good things and all the good people.  You make me laugh daily and you bring joy to our lives. I am so grateful for that every day. I so appreciate the fact that you ask me the questions that I can't ask myself. I look up to you now, because you teach me quite a bit.

     I am scared for you though because people can be mean. Horrible and cruel. You know, I am the sister that is on the front lines for you, standing up for you, is your wall.  I am your protector. Regardless if you ask for it or not. But now that I have moved away, I can't be that for you all the time. I can't stand up for you in person anymore. So let me tell you this, you are brave. You are strong. You are AWESOME!! You are Miranda Sings. (lol) You can be your sunshine self, and also not that people walk on you. Promise me you'll stand up for yourself okay?

   High school is the best part of school years! You are so close! Hang in there, baby.  Summers in NY is one of the best times of your life. Soft serve every Saturday, boating on Sunday and the nights will hopefully be filled with a bonfire, swimming, and laughter. Live in those moments. Soak them up. Enjoy not having alot of responsibility yet. Mom and Dad pretty much let you have all the fun in the world. So if you feel like you miss out on some summer fun its probably for a really good reason. Do not get to mad at them. 

    And also, do not be afraid to stand up for your friends. Be the girl that has friends in all sorts of walks of life, it gives you an appreciation for so many things! Everyone can teach you something. Plus, your life is not over if you lose a friend. Even someone that you think is your best friend. As cheesy as it sounds, you'll find your best buddy someday. It'll be so worth it. Learn from me and remember that it is not WHAT you have but WHO you have. If someone makes you feel bad about the lack of stuff you have, or the quality... Drop them like their hot! Money does not make you a good human or in this case, a good friend. 

    Boys are still boys no matter what age! (haha) Remember that you know who you are and don't let them tell you otherwise. Be picky. Have high standards. Trust me, you will find the person God has for you. TRUSSTTTT me on this one. Wait, girl. Patience is a virtue. Along those lines, I am just going to say this. No matter what you look like, or how you think other people see you as you have to be happy with who you are. There are always things we want to change about ourselves, and being self-aware is healthy. But at your core, I pray that you love who you are and that you are confident in that. Some guy will really like that someday, he will be "the one" 

    Family time is so important. Cherish it. Someday you're going to move away and you will miss the chaos and noise of our house. Someday all the stuff mom was on you for will actually be things you are thankful for. Mom will probably become your best friend too. I know I always say this, but mom really is the best human diary. You are lucky that you actually like cleaning! (Even if it is only a little) Spend time downstairs, even if just to watch tv or sports games with the family.  I know you may get frustrated with mom and dad about rules and responsibilities. But we really really lucked out with them. If you are trustworthy, they will give you a lot of freeway.

   Things will get hard sometimes. You will probably have your heart broken, things will probably suck. You'll need to talk through things and you'll feel like no one understands.  BUT someday you're going to look back and all you will see if the best years of your life. Besides, you will always have me cheering you on in the background! (or really loud on the sidelines)