Hey, kiddo. You know, of all the things I am in this world, being your big sister is my favorite one. You bring so much light into this world, and I am forever thankful that I get to see you shine. Unfortunately, this world isn't always as positive as you are, and there are a few things I want you to know. I hope you take to heart everything I have to tell you now and learn from my many, many mistakes. I just want what is best for you, always.

First off, I love you. I know that I won't always be around like I want to be. We're both growing up, and soon I'll have to leave to go on my own just like you will someday. You can always call me. Nothing will be more important than hearing from you or helping you through a tough time. I may not be able to hug you, but please know that I will want nothing more than to drop whatever I am doing to come to the rescue. I will do my best to listen, give advice, or whatever else you may need from me. That is what I'm here for.

Being nice only gets you so far. This is not an excuse to be a terrible person or be mean to get what you want. This is me telling you that you are allowed to be "bossy." You are allowed to know your worth and to demand respect from your peers. Someday, somebody will tell you that you cannot do something. Prove them wrong and do not even think about apologizing for it. Do be a good person. Help out someone in need. Lend an ear to a friend or volunteer a Saturday to a cause you love. Please do not apologize to anybody for being yourself.

Heartbreak hurts. We all go through it. Someday, there will be somebody who makes you cry and makes you want to stay in bed all day and eat your body weight in junk food. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and learn. Call a friend (or me), sing and dance your way through it, do whatever it takes to make you feel better. You will not hurt forever, and there will be somebody better on the other side of those dark days. Do not believe that the person who holds your heart has any more right to it than you do. Each person who doesn't work out only gets you one step closer to the one you will love forever. Love passionately, but do not lose yourself in the process.

Growing up is scary. Even I'm still scared sometimes. I'm scared because not everybody in this world is as nice as you are. Not everybody has good intentions like you. This is not a reason to live your life in fear of the unknown. Travel the world and see new places. Do something that terrifies you (please be careful) and learn from it. Overcome your deepest fears. Go somewhere that I would never dream of going and tell me all about it. I want you to see the world, and I want you to be the best person you can be. That can't happen by avoiding everything that makes you nervous. Seriously, you'll never regret an adventure and the chance to rub something super cool in my face.

You will fail. Things will go wrong and sometimes it will seem like nothing is going your way. Stop, breathe, relax. Find something that will make you laugh and force yourself to focus on the positive. You have a family that loves you deeply and a heart of gold. It is better to try and to fail than to never have tried at all. I have made at least five mistakes in my lifetime (I'm nearly perfect, we both know this). OK, no, seriously. I've screwed up a lot. That is why I am writing to you now. I have lived a little more life than you have, and I've experienced a few road bumps on the way. I want life to go as smoothly as possible for you, but good days wouldn't be good days if the bad ones didn't exist.

You are interesting. Never believe that you need a reason to talk about yourself. Just do it! Call me to tell me about how long your day at school was. Ramble on to people about your accomplishments and the cool stuff you've done. Don't get into the habit of thinking that you're boring or uninteresting. Someday, you will have an employer or a university asking you what your best qualities are. Start practicing talking positively about yourself now, because it doesn't get any easier the longer you wait. It would take me a day to list off all of the good qualities I see in you; it should take you even longer.

You are the most beautiful human being on this earth. There will be days when you don't believe me. There will be days when the hardest thing to do is love yourself...but you must. Those who love you see it. You are vibrant, you are smart, you are beautiful. You are capable of doing anything that you set your mind to. Never sell yourself short. Wear that outfit you love that's been out of style for two years and talk about the band you want to see that everybody else you know hates. Don't feel bad for being you, because you are the most amazing person I have the pleasure of knowing.

Love you, kid. To the moon and back.

“That’s the best thing about little sisters: They spend so much time wishing they were elder sisters that in the end they’re far wiser than the elder ones could ever be.” –Gemma Gurgess