Dear Little Sister,
I can’t believe that the time has come for you to go off to college. I still remember your hair up in two pigtails, holding my hand as we walked to your teacher on the first day of kindergarten. Gosh, it seems as though just yesterday we were choreographing routines to the latest Britney Spears songs, belting out the lyrics to Bon Jovi, Katy Perry & Fergie, and eagerly awaiting the newest episode of Hannah Montana to premiere. But, you’re almost 18 and for the first time, I won’t be there to hold you hand. I’ll admit, it’s going to feel weird not being there to guide you along the way, but it’s time that you figure things out for yourself.
I know that there’s still time left, but before you go off on your own, there’s just a few things that I want you to know.
(photo credits to my mom LOL)
I am so proud of you!
You got into all of the schools you applied to, your test scores and ACT were way higher than mine ever could have been and your ability to manage school, a job, sports and extra-curriculars is something that I still struggle with and admire you for. I know that with your continued determination, you will be able to take on anything that life throws your way
You bug me all the time
You don’t understand how annoying it is to come home and look for my cute gray dress and heels only to discover that you’re already wearing them. And don’t think I don’t pay attention to when you do one of my assigned chores so you don’t have to do the one that you got because you don’t like it all that much. LOL and don’t get me started on our Snapchat streak…Why am I telling you this? Well, things are about to get really deep and personal and just because I’m getting all sappy doesn’t mean I don’t think about the things you do to irritate me.
Appreciate those around you
Now, although you bother me quite often, it does make me very happy to hear from you. I know it may seem obvious, but don’t take those closest to you for granted. You’re going to have days where you feel so alone and those people will be there to lift up your spirits and help you through. So, when mom wants to work on a puzzle with you or dad wants to sit beside you on his computer while you watch “Say Yes to the Dress,” let them. You’re going to miss having a support system as strong as the one that you have at home. Trust me.
Don’t be Afraid to Stand Alone
Although the company of others is reassuring, realize that you are at a selfish point in your life. Your friends will change, you won’t be at home all of the time and you’ll have to make more decisions for yourself than you’re used to. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Sometimes standing alone is exactly what we need to do to get to where we’re supposed to go.
Boys ain’t …. Worth it
You may think that since you’re off to college, the next step is to find your future husband, so you can get engaged, get married, find a job in your dream field, have kids, and then buy a house, right? SLOW DOWN. You have so much of your life to live before you even CONSIDER adding a man into the mix. You’re going to school to get your B.S. not your M.R.S. and a man does NOT define your existence.
You are so Beautiful!
Sometimes I feel like I got gypped in mom and dad’s gene pool because you possess so many qualities that I wish I had for myself or want to improve on. Not to mention, you are naturally photogenic, even when you’re wearing your most unflattering outfit. I don’t know how someone can make Birks and an oversized XL sweatshirt look good, but you found a way to. Long story short, don’t allow anyone to make you believe that you’re anything less than the best.
Laugh Often
You have such an intoxicating laugh and whenever I hear it, it always makes me smile. Never lose that. Whenever you’re feeling down, crack a bad joke or be the crazy psycho I know you can be. Not only could you be making yourself feel better, but you could be lifting up those around you as well.
Learn from my Mistakes
You’re really lucky to have me to look up to because if I make an awful mistake, you know exactly what not to do when your time comes around. I have made so many poor choices in my life, but my mistakes have taught me more about the person that I am and will help me grow and mold into the woman that I want to become.
Know that you’re going to Fail
Just because I make the mistakes first doesn’t mean you won’t make any of your own. There will be times that you spend weeks studying for an exam and that grade won’t reflect all of the time and effort you put into it. You’re going to disappoint yourself, and not just in your academics. Don’t allow these hardships to keep you feeling down about yourself, but rather use this struggle as motivation to try even harder the next time around.
From the day that you were born, I knew our relationship was going to be different than any other relationship I’ve had before. I know that if I had the option to pick who would be stranded with me on a deserted island, I would always choose you. You may judge everything I do, argue with me over the littlest things or blame me for stealing something from you, but at the end of the day, you’re my little sister. And even though I can’t pick my family, I am so happy that this life gave me you.
I love you so much.
Love,
your Big Sister