My older sister and I are 22 months apart. I'm 20 and she's 22. Growing up was never easy for either of us.

I was the classic little sister. I took all my sister's clothes, her makeup, her everything. It was easier once she went to high school and her time to go to school was different than my middle school time.

Some of my friends are really, weirdly close with their sisters. They're best friends and have been their whole lives. It was never that way for Jordan and me.

The common thing my sister always said to me was, "You'll understand once you're in 8th grade" or "You'll understand once you're in high school." I still have no idea what she was talking about.

Jordan and I were always stuck together. We swam on the same swim teams and we played on the same soccer teams. I was always called "little Russell" because "Brick Wall" was already taken by my big sister.

So I get why you needed your space from me when we were growing up.

My sophomore year of high school was especially hard on my sister and my's relationship. She had to go out on her own for me to realize just how much I needed her in my life.

Whether she knows it or not, I look up to my sister a lot. From her mistakes, things she might think are mistakes, and who she is as a person.

My sister is strong, courageous, brave, beautiful, and so many other things I don't think she hears enough.

Jordan, you always have my back. Whether I'm right or wrong or if a boy was stupid and hurt me. You're protective of me and I don't think I've ever said thank you enough for how much you love me.

We were never ones to say I love you with words, rather actions.

Whether it was me checking on you when you were upset or you making sure I was okay after my breakups or when I was crying. You were always there for me.

Going to college, I think, made my relationship stronger with my sister. We're a lot closer than we were ever before.

Jordan, I'm sorry it took me so long to show you how much I appreciate and love you. To put it into words and to practically tell the world about you.

You're the best big sister I could've ever come into the world to. Whether or not we fought a lot growing up, where we are now means a lot to me.

I can't really show you that I love you in this, so I'll just say that I love you. Thank you for being my sister and my friend. I couldn't be me without you.

P.S. sorry you had to read this to find out how much stuff I stole from you growing up even though you probably already knew.