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Culture

An Open Letter To My Big Sister

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

Dear big sister,

For the majority of the past 18 years, you let me follow you around. While this was a great gig for me, I can imagine that having a tiny person glued to your hip probably wasn’t the most freeing feeling in the world looking back on it now. So, as that tiny person all grown up, I want to say thank you.

 

Thank you for always being there for me

From the moment I was born, I was lucky enough to have a best friend. Whether we were making mudpies in the backyard or jamming out to Britney Spears in our bedazzled jeans, I always had someone to hang out with. Even though I couldn’t always do all the things you could, you always tried your best to make sure your little sister could tag along on your adventures.

 

Thank you for teaching me all the good stuff

In my eyes, you were basically the smartest person on earth. While our parents held down the fort, you were the one teaching me the hard facts about the “real world.” How else would I have learned that Blue from Blues Clues was a girl or that Arnold’s “skirt” on Hey Arnold! was actually just his shirt? These are important pieces of knowledge, people! But seriously, without you, I wouldn’t know half of the things that I do today.

 

Thank you for your brutal honesty

At some point in everyone’s childhood, there comes a point where the world is not rainbows and butterflies. Though our parents tried to protect us from everything bad, sometimes, you just need to hear the straight truth when you’re a kid. And as my big sister, you’ve upheld your honesty policy no matter what. I can always rely on you to tell me what’s really going on – regardless of what it is or how much it hurts. Family matters are personal, and you’ve been my rock through all of them.

 

Thank you for loving me no matter how I’ve changed

As we’ve grown up, we’ve both changed a lot. Though most of this change has been for the better, there have definitely been some rough patches along the way. But, no matter what’s different (or how terrible middle school me was), you’ve always had my back. The older I get, the more I see how rare unconditional love is. And even when our parents made you split your Halloween candy with me, you still managed to love me. Now, that’s when you know it’s real.

 

Infinitely grateful,

Your little sister

Rachael David is currently a senior at Penn State University and serves as the Campus Correspondent for Her Campus Penn State. She is majoring in public relations and minoring in psychology. Her love of creative writing and all things Penn State is what inspired her to become a member of the HC team in the fall of 2013. Her background experience includes working for the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Penn State as a social media intern in the spring of 2014 and is currently working as a social media intern for an internet marketing company in Harrisburg called WebpageFX. This past summer she also served as a PR intern for Tierney Communications. Rachael enjoys anything media related especially catching up on her favorite shows, including Saturday Night Live and any show on Food Network. She has a passion for food but also loves being active and spending her free time running or hiking. She hopes to gain more experience in all aspects of the media industry during college and plans on pursuing a career writing for a life & style publication in the future.