Dear Siblings,

I wanted to write something sentimental to you before we all grow up and find ourselves at Christmas with our own families, thinking of those summer days we spent together. So I have a little something small to try to express in words how I feel -- letter.

Fist and foremost, 16 thank-yous.

1. Thank you for all the times you’ve embraced me with open arms telling me everything is going to be okay.
2. Thank you for loving me through all seasons of my life: chubby, sassy, boy-crazy, health-nut -- whatever the case may be.
3. Thank you for not ratting me out to mom.
4. Thank you for helping me grow into the person I am today.
5. Thank you for all the GameBoy tips and game exchanges.
6. Thank you for telling me everything in life is only a season.
7. Thank you for telling me the truth even when I might not want to hear it.
8. Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone in all aspects of my life.
9. Thank you for inviting me to parties with your friends when you know I have been inside all day studying.
10. Thank you for telling me to change when my dress is too short or my clothes are too tight.
11. Thank you for supporting me even when it wasn’t easy.
12. Thank you for tagging along places with me when I am alone.
13. Thank you for letting me stalk someone’s social media because they have blocked me.
14. Thank you for throwing some sick beats in the living room and dropping me like it’s hot when I need it.
15. Thank for those endless days of tubing, bike riding, frog catching and s’mores roasting.
16. Thank you for being the best human beings that I am honored and proud to call my own blood.

Secondly, I want to say no matter where life takes each of us -- different states, different jobs, changing living situations -- you guys are my squad. Through days spent camping, to hours in a funeral home, you are my people who have been with me through my best, and through my worse. You have accepted me in all phases of life, and that means more than I could ever express.

Third, I want you to know that I believe in you. I know life can be challenging at times and often puts us in situations where we don’t know what to do, but from the bottom of my heart I want you to know I believe in you.

I believe you can be the bigger person.

I believe you will get that job and will succeed.

I believe you will pass that test in the class that has been kicking your butt all semester.

I believe in you even when everyone else is telling you, “you can’t" or "you won’t be able to.”

And most importantly, I believe that whatever you are going through will help shape and grow you into who you are called to be.

As we transition into all these new phases of life, I just wanted to say it has been a pleasure growing with you all by my side. I would not be half the gal I am today if it wasn’t for you four.

All my love and sass,

Lauren E.