by Maya Girimaji, section editor

Dear Big sis,

Well, it’s that time of the year. It’s time for school to start and instead of you coming back with me to Consol you’re going off to college. Just the other day I was walking through your new apartment and I couldn’t digest that you were about to be living there in two weeks. There’s a lot of things I could tell you and want to tell you, but I think the most important thing I can say is thank you. Thank you for all the memories, adventures, advice and for being my best friend. I can go on forever about you and how much you mean to me but nobody has time for that so here’s a few things I want to say to you.

You’ve always been my partner in crime. From traveling all over the world together to those lazy Sundays on the couch watching TV even though we promised Mom we would work, I’ve never had a dull moment with you. You always put a smile on my face and appreciate me so much. I don’t think you know how much it means to me when you pop your head into my room when I’m playing the guitar and say “It sounds amazing. You’ve really improved.” I may not be the most affectionate person on this planet and may not always return your many hugs but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.  

I’ve always looked up to you. I still do. You’re my first best friend, my hero, my role model. I was a little worried that once we both reached high school we would become distant and would become hormonal teenage girls who bickered about everything. But when people ask us if we fight, we always reply with a strong “No.” That doesn’t mean we haven’t fought, but whenever we do bicker we can never be mad at each other for too long. Because either you or me has watched a funny Youtube video or seen a shirtless picture of Zac Efron and we have to share it with each other.

I’m so lucky to have you as my older sister. You know me better than anybody else and I’m never afraid to tell you about the boy I like at school or only get four hours of sleep because we stayed up at night talking about our dreams and fears. You know what’s right for me and look out for me. You always steer me in the right direction because you were the guinea pig. I’m going to miss belting out the lyrics to “You Belong With Me” as we dance around the house when nobody’s home. I’m going to miss binge watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit every Saturday. You better come by on the weekends so we can still watch a few episodes of SVU together.

I hope you know that I love you so much and I am so thankful that you are my older sister. I know you will do amazing things in college. And even though you’ll be a short drive away, it’s going to be weird not having you across the hall from me. I’m going to miss you like crazy and these next two years without you are going to be so stressful because Mom and Dad will be breathing down my neck every moment of the day so make sure you make frequent visits. Congratulations and good luck!

-With Love, your little sis