Dear Emily,

Having a sister is something that I am so grateful for. I am grateful that I have never had to learn about superheroes or StarWars. I am grateful that I never had to learn how to use a Nerf gun to shoot you with. I am grateful that I had someone to play Barbies and PollyPockets with back in the old days. With all the sister things we used to do that have since come and gone, I am most grateful that you, of all people, are the one that God chose to be my sister.

A lot of my friends have sisters, and love them to death, but I think our bond is the most special. I can be my weirdest, most genuine self around you, and never face any sort of judgement from you for a second. I can turn to you in a hard time, and know without a doubt that you will be there as whatever I need. You're the best shoulder to cry on, the best advice giver, and the most real person I know. You truly are my best friend, and I am so incredibly thankful for you and the bond that we share.

You have taught me so much in the past sixteen years. You have taught me how to stand firm in my beliefs and opinions. You have shown me how to be more patient and more loving in all the things I do. I have learned to not care about how other people view me, and to focus on how the people I care most about view me instead. You're incredibly wise for your age, and much more mature than I was at sixteen years old.

I truly cannot envision my life without being your sister. Our late night drives to pick up dinner and all the hours we have spent just laying around in your room mean the absolute world to me. You have impacted my taste in music and movies, and how I carry myself. You make me want to be a better person every single day.

I wish I could express to you how much I love you, and just how much you mean to me, but there is truly not enough words in the dictionary to describe that. You push me to be better, you love me despite my flaws, and you laugh at all the Tiktoks I send you, even when you have already seen them. I can not thank you enough for simply just being you. You are the best sister I could have ever asked for.

Happy birthday, Emily. I love you beyond words.

Love, Lindsey