To Rebeka on Her Birthday

Dear Rebeka,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Little sister, I cannot believe you are SO OLD. Good gracious, you’re 18 today! You’re officially a woman and it’s crazy to see my little sister grow and blossom and become the beautiful woman she was meant to be. Sometimes, your beauty literally stuns me. You are so independent, so strong, and so secure in who God has made you that sometimes I have to remind myself that you are younger than me in all your wisdom. I am so blessed to have a best friend like you – a playmate since childhood and someone I’ve always been able to trust. I miss our late night bedtime conversations; I miss car jamming with you on the way home from church. I miss talking to you – you have such a deep and meaningful, yet such simple outlook on life – you never cease to amaze me with your maturity. I love your tender heart and your ability to forgive and forget anything anyone does to you. I love that you always laugh at my jokes and understand me better than any other human being. I love how you love others and how you don’t seek to make people like you, but you seek to be the woman God wants you to be. Also.

I want to apologize for always making you the prince and me the princess when we played pretend.

Sorry.

I like being rescued! What can I say? And you liked fighting the imaginary wolves and dragons.

Sorry.

I would also like to apologize for locking you into lots of dark places i.e;

The trunk of the car

The pantry

The dryer

Our closet

Sorry.

Anywho.

I’m so proud of you! And I am so sad and sorry that I’m missing your birthday this year! I wish I could be there to sing the birthday song, help you eat the delicious Baskin Robbins ice cream cake, and give you your well-deserved birthday spanking. But, alas, I live on the other side of the world. So here’s to you, the best little sister/almost twin ever. I love you!

Happy birthday!