I'm not sure what exactly pushed me to write something about my little sister, Tiffany.
Maybe it's because her 14th birthday is in less than a week and she's trying to get me to buy Cubs spring training tickets. (THIRD BASE, LARSA, WE NEED TO SIT NEAR KRIS BRYANT!)
Maybe it's because she had a severe allergic reaction last night and for a while I seriously thought we might lose her.
Maybe it's because I have never really fully reflected on what it means to have a little sister and her importance to me as my only sibling.
I did beg for my parents for a baby sister for years, so... We should probs appreciate her presence.
1. You're not afraid to tell me when I look hideous.
Notorious for telling me I dress like a grandma and need a wardrobe redo, you do not hesitate to unleash your fury over our differences in style. If I try on an outfit and ask for your opinion, it's not uncommon for it to go like this: "I don't like it." "Why?" "It's just ugly. The whole thing is bad." Damn. And you're only 13-going-on-14.
2. You have my back in any situation.
Whether it's a guy I like that you think is a loser and a no-pass, or when I need someone on my side in an argument, you're there. Always, always there.
3. You send me videos and pictures of doggies on Instagram all day long.
It's very annoying when I'm in class or at work and you blow up my phone, but I love it.
4. You insult me out of boredom.
Day in, day out. You walk into my room and insult me. I cherish it, TBH.
5. You're not afraid to throw punches.
If I even attempt to argue with you, you have no issue manhandling me and wrestling me till I give in. I want you to be strong and fearless, so fine, punch me.
6. I'm too afraid of you to punch back.
It's true. I don't mess with Tiffany.
7. You have a heart of gold even though you don't like to show it.
You like to pretend you have a gruff exterior, but I know you too well to know it isn't legitimate. You have the softest, most golden heart of anyone I know. You cry seeing sad dog commercials or a homeless person on the street.
8. You come with me to college events if none of my friends are available.
Really, you come in handy when no one in my friend circle is down or available for an event. Even though you might be miserable the whole time, you did it for me.
9. You hold my hair for me when I'm washing my face and forgot a hair-tie.
This is just pure sisterly action at its finest.
10. You do my makeup for me pretty often since I'm deficient in that area.
You make me look better than any makeup artist that's worked on my face. I love stealing your eyeshadow palettes and highlighter.
11. You love rubbing it in when you get complimented on your looks since you got the blue-eye gene and I didn't.
"Did you hear that lady? Said I was gorgeous." Yes, Tiff, we know. You have blue eyes and thick brown hair and everyone thinks you're a stunner. I kinda sorta maybe hate you for it.
12. You treat our dog like an actual human baby and call him a different name every day.
Literally, you and Luke have the most interesting pet-owner relationship of anybody else in existence. You argue with each other and you have a different name for him every day. You also dress him up in the most ridiculous things ever.
13. You steal my clothes every single day and deep down I find it too amusing and cute to be mad.
I shouldn't be admitting this, but it's true. Take my denim jacket whenever you want it, even though we both know you weren't going to ask my permission anyway.
14. You purposely beat me to the shower just to say you did.
It happened today. It was annoying, and you took a longer shower on purpose.
15. You're my go-to gossip buddy.
Let's talk about everyone that annoys us with no worries that one of us will leak.
16. You always know what to say to make me feel better, no matter how sucky times get.
Since you were old enough to speak, you became my little comfort goat when even for a second you knew I was upset.
17. We're the best combination of different personalities ever.
I don't know how our personalities mesh so perfectly, but the odds just match up.
18. No one understands Mom and Dad's quirks more than us.
We get their sometimes weird rules, intense parenting mode, and I continue to be your guidebook navigating our household through your teenage years.
19. #18 is just really key.
20. You're the only Tiffany Rae and I'm the luckiest to have you.
I love you, best friend! I hope we're close forever and ever. You're the only sibling I've had and ever will have, so we're kinda stuck with each other forever.