Dear Big Sis,

I don't even know where to begin when writing this letter to you. There are so many things I want to say and so many memories I want to reflect on. So, I guess I'll start by just saying this: thank you.

Thank you for making mistakes first, so that I could learn from you. We're all human and, of course, we all make mistakes. Thank you for making your own mistakes so openly and then using them as a way to give me some of the best advice I've ever received. I know some people who are so bitter about their own pasts that they'd never use them to make someone else's life a little bit easier, but thank you for not being one of those people. Whether it's a tip about a family dynamic, surviving school or fitting in with a social scene, thank you for being there to have gone through these things first and to then help me out.

Thank you for being honest. You're the first person I'll go to for advice because I know you'll tell it like it is, even if the truth hurts. I still remember one time when I was about 10 years old and thought I had picked out the coolest outfit ever. Thank goodness you were there to clue me in on the fact that I wasn't actually as fashionable as I thought I was. Sure, I was probably offended then that you didn't understand my amazing (or, really, amazingly flawed) sense of style, but I now know you were just looking out for me.

Thank you for standing up for me. Sure, we may argue. On some days, we probably scream at each other more than we have civil conversations. But, at the end of the day, I know you have my back and hope you know that I have yours. I know that you won't let anyone mess with me and I can't thank you enough for that. Nobody is going to try to hurt me if they know what kind of big sister I have!

Thank you for accepting me. Even though I know you'll be the first one to make fun of me for my stupid mistakes, I also know that you still love and accept me, despite my (many, many) flaws. We laugh about the stupid things we've done, but we love each other anyways. Who else in the world would still love me after seeing me at my most awkward stages and after knowing my most embarrassing stories?

Thank you for not giving up on me. I know when I was younger I probably was the most annoying part of your day. All I ever wanted was to grow up to be like my big sister, but I know I was a pest. I'm so happy that you didn't write me off right then and there because you're such a big part of my life that I can't imagine not having.

Thank you for inspiring me. I promise that every single time I copied you when I was younger was just because I thought you were the coolest person ever. Can you really blame me for wanting to be as awesome as you? Thanks for encouraging me to keep going when I was ready to give up on things; so many of the things I've done in my life are thanks to you.

And finally: Thank you for being my best friend. Through our ups and downs, I know that you're there for me at the end of the day. I'd do absolutely anything for you and love you more than you could ever imagine. You're my best friend and my partner in crime and I can't thank you enough for that.

Love,

Your Little Sis