Dear Lil Sis,

I can remember when I was eight and you were three and I almost accidentally killed you. I tried being an amazing big sister and had made you a marshmallow snowman, made out of sweet and puffy marshmallows, toothpicks, with frosting eyes and mouth. I couldn't wait to get home to give you the surprise, but of course you were three years old and I was oblivious tooth picks might be a problem at your age. As our parents called the paramedics and I ran around screaming and crying, it's not fair you still make fun of me for that by the way, I hope you realized all I ever wanted to do was take care of you and protect you

Now you're thirteen, slightly older but don't think your invincible to this world. It's hard to tell you this but the years coming up are going to test you in ways you never would have imagined. You may be doing amazing in eighth grade but as soon as you graduate everything changes. High school begins, maybe even before you graduate, with sports teams trying to recruit their newest players, and classes like choir or band looking for their next prodigy. Its going to be intimidating, but remember to stay level headed, don't take on so many activities like I did, staying at school for 15 hours a day wasn't that much fun... But knowing you, you'll do it anyway because you want to be able to try everything. You'll do swimming, basketball, maybe track, even band or choir, just to make sure you don't miss out on an opportunity. I admire you for that, your constant feeling of courageousness.

Now real talk, boys. I would love to tell you to stay away from boys, that they're gross, dumb, and from another planet. But I just can't do that. I'll be honest, in high school good boys are hard to find, that's why its easier to just not try. If someone worth your time comes along you will know. They will always want to spend time with you and spoil you with their attention. But if you start chasing after bad boys you will learn all you do is get hurt. Once again, I know you will probably not listen to me at first but when you think back about this letter remember, I told you so.

But all in all you are my sister, and I will always be here to support and love you. Whether it's boys, school, friend drama, anything you can come to me. Because even if you don't think so I've probably been through a similar situation. You can trust me, 1,423 miles has got nothing on us.

xoxo, Big Sis