To my sister,

There are friends. There are best friends. And then there are best friends who become family.

Two 12-year-old girls sitting at a cafeteria lunch table nervous about what Middle School would be like. Myself, an insecure, people pleaser who for years dreamt of having that one "best friend" constantly projected in the movies. I hoped that for once Middle School would be a chance I could finally meet that person and chance for me to stop trying so hard in proving my friendship to people. You, a shy, nervous catholic school girl who was holding tight to another "new girl," both scared of what the new public school setting would bring. Both of us, dropped off every morning by our parents on their way to work. I remember one day choosing to sit next to you and asking who your teachers were. Little did we know that this simple conversation at early morning drop off would begin a lifelong friendship.

I remember how nervous I was for our first hang out. You were so kind and so sweet, after years of trying and trying to make friends I couldn't believe I finally had a new friendship in sight. A friendship created when I least expected.

Quickly our awkward middle school selves became inseparable. We bonded over having crushes for the first time, dealing with puberty, and being the nice insecure ones a group of mean girls chose to pick on. We bonded through sleepovers, casual mall shopping trips (where we only had dwindling birthday money to spend), and Friday night hangouts where we shuffled between our two houses eventually calling each of our moms our own step-moms.

Then High School came around, and big changes began. From on and off toxic relationships, to different schools, drivers ed, and forever shifting friend groups, we went through it all. Sometimes we just needed space for a bit to figure things out for ourselves. Other times we had cry sessions with each other vent about everything. At a time we even became to busy and caught up in our own lives, that it took months before we mutually took a step back to reflect and reach out to each other again. But, once we did, it was like nothing had changed and no time had even passed.

As I've grown and matured, I have concluded that "True friendship isn't about being inseparable. It's being separated, and nothing changes."

First, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for always letting me be my weird self with you and not judging me when I would spend hours on end making both of us perfect our best "Rasputin" dance on Just Dance. Thank you for letting me call your family my own, spend numerous nights at your kitchen table eating your moms home cooked dinners. Thank you for letting me rant for hours on end about my boy problems and for complaining over something you 100% warned me about in the beginning. Thank you for dancing and singing in the car with me as loud as we can so the car pulled up next to us thinks there is something seriously wrong with us. Thank you for trying on ridiculous dresses with me that we had no intention in buying.
But most of all, thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for being my better half.

Although we aren't biologically related, after our heart-to-heart conversations, continuous fashion advise, and spending so much money on shopping and food our bank accounts run dry, how can I not consider you family?

You've been with me on my best days and comforted me through my worse. You know exactly what to do to make me laugh and effortlessly know how to make my day. You're the one who always keeps me grounded and reminds me I am more than my mistakes. You're the one who I can count on to tell me the truth about how you feel about something, like if a dress makes me look fat or whether or not I really that random thing from Target. You always educate me on your passions like teaching and nature, continually pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and to go on that hike I've been thinking about doing for a while. You are so patient with me and my bad habit of overthinking EVERYTHING, and instead of slapping me in the face reminding me that it will all be over in a week, you comfort me through it all.

I wouldn't have made it this far in life or have become the person I am today without someone who already understands me before I even open my mouth. Every time we are together, It's as if that world has already made sure we are on the same page about everything. Constantly giving us moments where one of us is talking and the other can immediately respond "I agree completely."

Of course, you cannot forget our fights. We've had a few very real moments. But, just like sisters, we have learned to move forward, and both know that our love for each other outweighs every disagreement we've ever had, and always will. Through everything, the ups and the downs I genuinely don't think anything can break us forever apart. We go to different colleges now, and the geographical distance has rudely gotten in the way of our routine of spending every possible moment together. We still manage to see each other, making for the best and most memorable weekends of the semester.

Since we met, we've been able to grow separately without growing apart. Neither of us is the same person we were at that cafeteria table years ago. Even so, you've given me the positivity and strength to be the best person I can constantly be. Your sunshine and loyalty are strengths and qualities I forever envy. Your ability to light up a room and very welcoming personality makes all of my friends absolutely adore you. Your strength and courage are so contagious, sometimes even sparking something inside of me allowing me to do things I didn't even knew possible. Like what I have always drunkenly said, I am forever grateful our awkward Middle School selves joined forces and created this beautiful friendship.

--Your Unbiological Sister