Dear Sister,

I remember, as a little girl, I used to have nightmares that would wake me up in the middle of the night. I remember every time I would quietly walk across the hall until I reached your room. I wouldn't wake you up to tell you I was scared, I would simply curl up on the very edge of the bed, fearful that I would accidentally wake you up, and you would send me back to my room, and I would just fall asleep. I guess at nine years old, I took comfort in knowing my older sister was there to protect me. 

Flash forward three years,  and it is my first ever Nutcracker performance. I remember standing in the wings with my blue dress and mouse ears on, peeking out into the crowd. When the first notes of my piece came on I ran out to the front of the stage and the first face I saw was yours. 

Now, we have definitely had our fair share of slammed doors, "I hate you," blowout arguments, tears, explicit text messages regarding that necklace that I "borrowed" and so many more. But, you can see that you have always been the one that I have turned to when I feel scared, nervous or alone. Any time I have been tested, in head or heart, you have always been there to remind me of what is most important. 

When Mom and Dad were getting divorced, you were the strong one. When I had my first heartbreak, you were there to remind me how beautiful I was, and how I deserved so much more. And when I had reached the lowest point in my life, when I didn't think life was worth anything, anymore, it was you who helped pick me back up, even from hundreds of miles away. You made me realize that my life was worth something, and it was your love and your advice that helped me come to terms with myself and my depression.

I cannot thank you enough for everything that you have done for me throughout these 20 years of my life. Whether it be waking up at 6 a.m. on Christmas morning with me to play the Sims, while we wait for Mom and Dad to wake up, to not actually killing me every time I used your makeup, and coming to every single one of my five-hour long dance recitals no matter how much watching four year olds dance made you want to rip your hair out. And you always send me cupcakes on every birthday, no matter how far away I am. 

There is so much more I could say and thank you for, but I do want to say this: there is no bigger blessing in this world than being able to have you as an older sister. 

That goes for everyone reading this article: if you have that blessing, always cherish it. We have all taken our family for granted, at various points in our lives, but there is one thing truer than any friendship or relationship and that is the bond that you have with family. 

I could not be more proud to call you my sister and to look at the beautiful life you are currently making for yourself. I have come a long way from being the scared little girl crawling in bed with her sister, but I still have far to go. Thank you for showing me what love and life truly mean. 

I love you,

Your little sister

P.S. Happy Birthday!