This article is an open letter to my youngest sister. My youngest sister, Taylor, feels like she's left out sometimes because my other sister and I attend college together, so we're obviously going to do more together. For this, I feel awful when she brings it up; I have just as much love for Taylor as I do my other sister who I am in school with.

To My Youngest Sister,

Where to begin -- I have so much love for you it is unreal. You are one of the most valuable, important people to me. We do not talk everyday, college gets crazy busy -- you will learn within the next two years. This is no excuse though, I should still send you a daily text just to remind you how much you are loved.

I know I am not with you every day like I am Lex, but it's all because of circumstance. As much as I love being with Lex, it would be so amazing to have you here at school too to talk to daily. I enjoy any conversation we have, whether it is just a "Hi, miss you" or we get into your high school drama and boyfriend dilemmas.

I also enjoy the fact that people call us twins, because you have grown into such a beautiful young lady. I know you do not give yourself enough credit but trust me, you are stunning. I thoroughly enjoy whenever you come to school to visit and make friends so easy with my fellow Phi Mu sisters. You are a warm, welcoming, friendly young lady who has nothing but great things coming in your future.

I've seen your work ethic on the court, and in school (especially last semester earning all A's!) and it's nothing short of impressive. Whenever you set a goal, you work harder than anyone I've ever seen work towards it. For this I commend you.

I want you to know that I am sorry for not making enough time for you. I should be texting or calling you everyday, our relationship is beyond important to me. I am excited to move back home in May and watch you grow throughout your senior year while I am (hopefully) commuting to and from grad school. I feel towards you how I imagine I will feel with my children; I am always in your corner (whether I agree with you or not), I feel the need to protect you, even being miles and miles apart. I cant put into words how much I value you and hope to never see anything bad happen to you. I never want to see you sick, injured, or emotionally hurt. If anyone is a direct source of emotionally hurting you, I consider inflicting physical pain upon them (if only that was legal...) I feel such a strong dislike towards anybody that betrays your loyalty, makes your life anymore difficult than it has to be, or sets out to belittle/hurt you.

Know that you can always call me wherever I am, wherever you are, whatever time it is. You are such a big part of my life, even without speaking everyday. You are a role model, even being four years younger than me. You are a bigger person (you forgive easier -- I am still mad at people who did you wrong two years ago), you are a strong person, you are kind, intellectual, caring, empathetic individual with a huge heart and good intentions.

You are not any less loved in my heart because we live in different places, right now, and run on different schedules; I cannot emphasize enough how important you are to me and how excited I am to see what the future holds for you; with your ambition and strong mindset I know it will be nothing less than a successful, rewarding future. I love you with all of my heart. I am my sister's keeper.

With more love than you could ever imagine,
Your oldest sister.