Dear Little Sister,

You probably don’t want to read this right now. I know you’re probably trying to do homework, heading to soccer practice, or talking to your boo thang. But I wanted to ask you to stop for just a moment, and read this.

Our relationship is quite complex. I know you probably think that I hate you, and on some days, I do really get annoyed with you. But, I’ve always said (much to mom’s dismay) that you will always love your sister, you just don’t always have to like her. That’s how I am with you.

To be honest, it’s not anything you’ve done. It’s more of me being scared about what you will do. You’re a storm the world is not ready for, and yet you took it by the reigns and are riding straight on into the unknown. I get scared because to me, you’re still that little 11-year-old who is spoiled like no tomorrow. I watch you put on make-up, wear a bra that’s two sizes larger than mine, and then get in a car with a boy I barely know and I’m petrified because you’re too young to be going on car dates, and you’re too young to have your first kiss (especially way before I had mine).

You’re too beautiful for your own good. You’ve got amazing friends and a family who loves you, but I’ll never think your friends are good enough for you, and I’ll never ever forgive mom and dad for giving you a later curfew than what I had in high school.

When I yell at you, get frustrated with you, and just lose all patience it’s not because I hate you. I do not hate you, as you might think. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, I love you so much. I want to see you succeed in life, and so when I watch you hang out with people I don’t like I get scared for your future because you deserve so much better.

I’ll never think you’re confident enough either. I’ll always somehow see the girl trying to perfect herself for others. I see you and hope every living moment you don’t have your hair like that because it’s the trend or you don’t waste your money on a stupid object because it’s what all the rich girls have.

You are beautifully and wonderfully made by God, and that’s all you’ll ever need to be for anyone and anything. You shouldn’t try to please others, but only God and yourself. Do things because you want to not because your friends told you to.

I want the best for you in everything you do. It’s why I’m always so annoying to you, and I’ll admit sometimes I get to be a little too much. But, I implore you, please know it is only because I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do if anything or anyone were to ever hurt you.

So, go back to your homework, show, or boy, and please stop giving me so many heart attacks.

Love,

An Overly Protective Sister