Mads,

It has taken me awhile to write this letter to you because honestly, I cry every time. Happy 16th birthday!

It's honestly really hard to believe that you are growing up right before my eyes. This has been a long time coming. I know that it's scary to step into this "new phase" of life (I'm terrified because now you're able to drive a car), but I'm so thankful that I have you!

We've been through so much in the last 18 for me, 16 for you, years and I know that there is so much more for us in the future. I am so thankful for the times we've been inseparable and the times that we've grown apart because in the end, we never actually grew apart. I don't know what I would do without you, if I'm being honest. We've come so far from the little girls staying at Mimi's house for weeks at a time and from the One Direction concerts we've been to.

You're the best person I know to just sit down and talk for hours to, stay up for almost two days to beat, going shopping, or even just Pokemon hunting with. You are the best to adventure with too- even if our adventure is just going to a new part of town or driving all the way to Orlando. You are the most down to Earth person I know. And I'm so thankful for that.

You are now 16 and there a lot of new opportunities that you will have. I hope that you find each and every one of them and embrace them with arms wide open. I hope that whatever your heart desires, it'll find. I hope you find happiness in the mundane. I hope that you find adventures everywhere you look, and that you can travel to the places that you want to see. I hope that you're able to go where you want to go and be who you want to be.

I'm so excited that we get to continue to grow up together, and that even through everything our friendship (more like sisterhood), is stronger than ever. I love You, Mads! Thanks for being like my little sister for the last 16 years. Here's to many more to come!

Much love,

Gigi

P.S.

Sorry this was posted on Odyssey before your actual birthday ;)