To my sister:
When I was born you had been alive for 16 years already. At first you were my babysitter, then you were my chauffeur, but as I grew up, you became my friend. You became my best friend (I know it wasn’t easy at first since I asked A LOT of questions all the time, but you stuck with me anyways, so thank you).

You are my confidant, my role model, my other half. You became someone I could look up to and be proud of. You overcame obstacles in your life and you’ve become one of the most amazing women I have ever met. You are my hero sissy. I don’t tell you enough how proud I am of you. I’m proud to call you my sister. Everyday I’m away from you I miss you more and more. So to make up for the distance I am writing you this list of why I love you so darn much. (WARNING: sappiness ahead, you may cry)
38 Things I love most about you:
I love your happiness– you exude such positivity all the time and it’s impossible not to feel happy when I’m around you.
I love your supportiveness– you have always supported me and been my biggest cheerleader.
I love your diligence– you work so hard at everything you do
I love your OCD– I know I will always have someone who understands how filthy every surface is (especially pens)
I love your sense of humor– you can always make me laugh, even when you aren’t trying (and especially when you tell awful jokes which, let’s face it, is all the time)
I love that you laugh at all my jokes– I can always count on you to make me feel funny
I love that you are just as addicted to chipotle as me– who else would go 7 times a week with me?
I love how caring you are– You have so much compassion and love to give and I envy how it comes so naturally to you
I love that you are exactly the person I always need– I know that no matter what, I can count on you to be there for me
I love that you love movies– and even though I spilled every single one of your reese’s pieces that one time, you forgave me (I still blame you…)
I love our memories– all my favorite memories are with you
I love that you’re obsessed with your dog– even though she looks like an ugly rat when she’s wet
I love that you gave me Riley– you gave me the love of my life in dog form
I love the one accent you do– and that it always sounds the exact same no matter what accent you’re calling it
I love your silliness– life would be so dull without you
I love that no matter what part of my life I look back on, you were apart of it– my partner in crime forever
I love that I practically live at your house– I’m there more than my own home
I love your nail polish– I love that if I want two colors I can buy one and you the other and I technically have both since I mooch off your nail polish all the time
I love your generosity– you are always willing to buy me lunch or share your food or give me your time even when I’m stingy with my own food… (sorry I just like food)
I love that we always have a good time– no matter what we do, it’s tons of fun
I love your horrible singing voice– and that you sing all the time and don’t care
I love that you love board games just as much as I do (and card games)– all we have to do is find 2 other people who love them too so we can actually play them
I love laughing with you– and seeing your oh-so-beautiful laughing face
I love crying with you– and knowing that you will always understand
I love our secrets– and that I always know they’re safe with you
I love that you snapchat me moments of your day every day– it makes me feel like I’m with you in that moment
I love your shopping addiction– it feeds mine and I’m okay with that
I love your purse addiction– same as the shopping addiction
I love to talk to you– and tell you anything and everything
I love that you’re a quitter– I’m so proud that you quit smoking cold turkey and so happy that I get to have you around longer because of it
I love that you never judge me– even when I deserve it
I love that we like the same shows– I will forever have a person to watch reality TV with. ALWAYS.
I even love how dramatic you are– I know I give you crap for it, but it’s a part of you and I love that (drama queen/ hypochondriac)
I love your family– and that you’re willing to share them with me (love you Jazzy and Raymond)
I love your heart– it’s always filled with love and happiness
I love that you’re my best friend– and always will be
I love that you put up with me– even though I can be difficult to love
But most of all, I love that you’re my sister– I will forever be grateful that I was given such a sweet soul as a built in best friend.
So you see, I’m extremely lucky. I am, how you say, hashtag blessed. I hope you have a wonderful birthday seastar. I won’t tell anyone how old you are, but if they know my age and they add 17 to it I’m sure they can do the math (I’m 21 everybody).
“Happiness is only real when shared” – Into the Wild
That’s all for now,
Arrivederci.