Dear Sissy,

I hope that you enjoy your newfound freedom. You are no longer bound to 7 A.M. - 3 P.M. school days from September until June. You can go shopping in the morning or out for brunch and no one has to question why you aren’t in school. With this freedom, please do not get caught up in other obligations. You need to focus on yourself more than anything. This is the time where you need to learn and grow as a person.

Learn from your own mistakes, but please remember the mistakes that I have made before you. As your older sister, even though there is not much but 17 months separating us, it is still my responsibility to make sure you are doing okay. Don’t work too much, don’t procrastinate too much, and don’t go out too much. I will always have your back, and I will probably still have to pay for your drink at Starbucks. Always.

I hope that you have a better college experience than I've had so far. I already know you will, even though you haven’t even started yet. We both will be attending the same school, but you will be living on campus. Montclair State University is welcoming you with open arms. You have wanted to get away for so long. I did too, but life had chosen a different path for me.

Everyone says that your college years are going to be the best of your life. I want you to make the most out of the next four years. Live up to this saying. It is going to be very different. It is also going to be very different for me. You will no longer be in your room when I come home at midnight after a long, stressful shift at work. You won’t be home to help me when I can’t figure out how to cook something. We won’t be able to hang out in our pajamas all day until it’s time for bed again. I will miss always having you around.

I hope that you stay true to yourself. As cliché as it sounds, so many people change when they go to college, claiming that this is who they really are. I know who you really are. You are a bubbly, energetic, and kind-hearted person that makes sure everyone knows it when you are in the room. Please don’t let anyone change your personality.

You are an extremely talented girl, and I love it when you perform. I cry whenever I see you on stage, never failing to tell everyone that I am your sister. Listening to you sing is my favorite. I will never forget the concerts you would put on in your room ever since you were little. We couldn’t even make a noise while you sang, otherwise you would stop and say, “I’m starting over." Never stop singing. I can't wait until I see you on Broadway one day.

I hope that you know I will always be there for you. If you ever need a ride, a hug, or anything else you could possibly need, just know that I would love to help. I hope that you let me hang out in your new room. I hope that we stay as close as we are now, forever. I hope that you finally unblock me on Instagram and Snapchat so that I can at least see what you’re up to. I hope you are as happy as possible for this next chapter in your life.

Love,

Your older Sissy