Dear big sister,

I want to start by thanking you. Thank you for dealing with me being an annoying little sister your whole life. Thank you for letting me borrow all your clothes, even when I sometimes didn’t ask you. Thank you for always including me, even though I know it wasn’t cool to have your little sister around a lot of the time. Thank you for putting up with my stressed-out self during college applications, and somehow not giving up on me. Thank you for dealing with teaching me my solo for 3 years straight, and helping me grow as a dancer more than I knew I was capable of.

On a more serious note, I want to thank you for teaching me more about life than anyone else ever has. You taught me to stand up for myself, and to not let anyone walk all over me. You taught me to stay strong in the hardest of times. You taught me how short life could be and how important it is to live in the moment. You taught me to work hard for myself and not to impress others. You taught me to never let anyone tell me I am not good enough to do something, do it anyways and prove them wrong.

I remember us growing up and dancing around the room like maniacs. I would always do a silly performance for you and mommy, just to get you to laugh with me. I remember you always introducing my performance as if we had a full audience watching. I remember playing school with you and admiring how smart you truly are. I remember playing house together and us fighting over who would be the “mom”, and somehow once I was the dog. (LOL)

The one thing I remember the most growing up, was how much I wanted to be just like you.  Somethings never truly change because still to this day you inspire me to want to become even half the woman you are. Yes, I know I still steal your clothes, take your advice on pretty much everything, and sometimes even still perform for you. I love that we can just be ourselves and laugh till were crying together, even though we are 5 years apart.

Now you are getting married, and I truly cannot believe how fast time flew by. I feel like it was yesterday when I was that annoying little sister begging to be the mom when we played house. I am so happy that you found your person and that you are happier than I have ever seen you, yet I am still so sad. I am going to miss having you in the house, and laughing till we cry almost every night. I know I will always have you as my best friend, so you better call me every day, thank you.

I love you so much Jessica. You have no idea how much you truly mean to me, and how much I look up to you. Thank you for not only being the best big sister, but for also being my best friend.