Dearest little sister,

Since I went to college, it feels like you're an entire world away. I'm sure you have noticed the divide as well, and I promise that I'm trying to be better. You'll understand more when you get to college about why I never have the time to come home anymore.

From the moment you were born, I knew that having you by my side would make my life immensely better. You have challenged me and inspired me to be the best person possible. It is because of you that I am the leader and role model that I've become. Without even trying, you have been the motivation for me to lead by example. Knowing that you were watching me and everything I did kept me on a constant path toward being genuine and the best version of myself.

You may put up a front of being stubborn whenever something hurts you, but I know that you are the most caring person that I've ever met. Between your constant worrying about me and always trying to take care of everyone before yourself, you have shown me what it means to be compassionate and selfless. My hope for you is that you carry this compassion with you throughout the rest of your life and you let it be the guiding light by which you connect with others.

For your upcoming freshman year of college, the biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to put yourself first. For the first time in your life, the only person who has to agree with your decisions is you. College is about finding your path and who you are. Do not tether yourself to anything or anyone that will hinder your ability to grow and find that purpose. Anything that stops you from being your best self is not meant to be part of your life.

Be selfish with your choices, but not in a way that harms other people. I think a lot of the time when people say that college and your early twenties are a time to be selfish, they're not thinking of the repercussions of being selfish. Making decisions that are best for you should not be another method of going out of your way to hurt people. I think the thing that I regret most about my college career so far is that I've made decisions that hurt people under the guise of doing what was best for myself. It's a weird paradox to say that the only person affected by your decisions is you and then continue on to say that you shouldn't harm people, but here we are. Just try to balance the decisions you make as best you can.

I am beyond excited to spend your first semester of college with you. I am aware of the impact that my presence will have on you and that it will shape the way you approach the rest of college. I promise to teach you everything I can and still find time to let you make your own decisions and mistakes. Most of all, I'm excited we'll be living in the same ZIP code again.

With love,

Your big sister