Dear Older Sister,

Thank you. I can’t even begin to explain all the things that you have done for me. There are so many things I need to thank you for that you probably already knew you did. As I get older, I realize that there was so much more behind your role as my older sister. You weren’t just the older annoying sibling that I happened to get stuck with for life. You were the older sibling that had to run through the fire. You were the guinea pig child and got yelled at more than I did. You probably also got yelled at for things even when both were to blame. You were the victim of many chewed up and ruined items. I am still sorry about the snow globe…I know that one hurt.

Thank you for taking care of me. When I got hit and fell over, you made sure I could stop my knee from bleeding as we rode the bus home for 20 minutes. One time I was sick and I remember you taking care of me while mom was at work. Even when I was 15 you took me to get soup. Thank you for always checking if Santa came first. That’s a big one! Thank you for letting me borrow everything Mom borrowed for me. I also apologize for that…I didn’t even know.

Thank you for being my ultimate role model. The thing about it was that I never thought you did anything wrong. It drove me nuts from the sense that any time I messed up I felt alone. I don’t tell you this so you feel bad, but because I want you to know how much I looked up to you. When you were in your “awkward phase” I still wanted to be you, look like you, and do what you did. Even though you didn’t want me to, I did cheerleading because that’s what my older sister did.

As I grew up, you continued to support me even if you had to drive home from college. You always vocalized how proud of me you were for my brains and my success. Thank you! I have to admit that now I am comfortable with who I am and don’t necessarily have a role model anymore when it comes to who I am, but know that I loved that you were my role model throughout childhood. You can have 1/3 of the credit for my success in growing up. Let’s be real: if I would have gone to Ashland I probably would have tried to become an Alpha Phi!

So thank you! Because you are now and always have been my best friend. Maybe I didn’t think that would ever happen, but as we grow older, I am not sure why four years ever seemed so far apart. It feels like yesterday I was afraid to ride the grade school bus without you. So thank you! I love you so much!

Sincerely,

Your Younger Sister