Dear Steph

Stephy, Stevie, Step, Weffer-Woo, Stephanie

…is 21 today.

To honor my younger sister on this day, I wanted to write her a little message.

That’s the thing about blogging, I can write whatever I want, with complete honesty and vulnerability for the world to see & for me to hold onto forever. Unless we don’t have the internet in 2057 or whatever but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Dear Stephy,

My little sissy. From miles and states away I am sending you so much love, quite frankly more than you would be comfortable with in real life.

I don’t even know where to start with this, but I guess I’ll start by saying how thankful I am that God made you. It’s so weird to imagine life with just the brothers, I mean can you imagine?! I am pretty sure I would be a complete tom-boy or diva, or honestly just a totally different person. And for this, I am thankful you are here on Earth with me.

Being an older sister is a much bigger job than it seems. I look at you & T as my little kids, and yes I know sometimes to a fault, but it comes from a place of love because I know how capable you are of anything & I would stop at nothing to help you get there.

For years Pete has always said that I act more like the little sister, and honestly Steph, I think it’s because I admire a lot about you.

You are hands-down the strongest most resilient person I know. I mean when mom cracked her head, you acted with such confidence, un-phased by the severity of it all. You’ve broken your nose and walked off the soccer field with 100x more calmness than me who was crying on the sidelines. You have this innate ability to bounce back from people who’ve hurt you or situations that would leave most others distraught, without hesitation.

I also admire you for your honesty. God really knew that we balance each other this way. You are so unafraid of sharing your thoughts, and decisive in a way I only dream of being. More than just which Instagram photo to post or what haircut to get, you help me get out of mind and just take a step back, seeing things from the simplest perspective.

I also think you are the balance we need for us girls in the family because I’m pretty sure mom’s closet would be 20x bigger without you there telling her what looks good & what to pass on.

Finally, I admire how giving you are. I can say without a doubt that if I needed it, you would give me the shirt off your back. Of course you would still have a closet decked out with the trendiest clothes to pull-from, but you get the idea. Seriously though, if I ever need anything I know I can call you up. Whether it’s someone to listen to my highs or talk me through the low’s, you are more supportive and giving than you know.

I think I could go on forever about you because if I’m being honest I don’t tell you enough how exceptional you are. Really. You are so clearly beautiful on the outside, but even as we age and skin starts to wrinkle, I know it is your heart that will continue to multiply in its beauty.

Steph I am thankful for you always being there, even from miles away. I am so thankful that we can bring out the best in each other and share a bond that we’ll never lose. I’m just so thankful for you.

I love you always,

xoxo - Katie