Dear Katie,
I know I am not the easiest big sister to live with. But I think you know you’re not the easiest little sister to live with either. I know you think we hate each other, but we don’t.
Sisters who hate each other don’t send each other tik toks, or teach each other the dances to them. Sisters who hate each other don’t have Mario Kart tournaments and watch Lion King together when they’re sad. Sisters who hate each other don’t go from fighting one minute, to laughing at something ridiculous the next. Sisters who hate each other don’t have endless fights about losing each others scrunchies because sisters who hate each other would not have shared them in the first place.
I’m sorry that I have a temper with you and take out my worst emotions on you. But I hope one day you will understand that it is because it is you I am closest with. There is no one but you who could see that side of me and still love me, and I’m sorry that I use that as an excuse.
The truth is that I love you more than anything, and I know you love me too. I know that when you say you can’t wait for me to move back to school you’re really just acting tough (and longing for your own bathroom sink). And I hope you know that when I am at school telling you I don’t miss you, you are really all I think about.
One day we will understand each other better. Being 5 years apart makes it impossible to stand in each others shoes, but one day we will understand. One day we will both grow up and realize how much we need each other, and how much we have helped each other grow. One day I will have more patience, and you will be more mature and need less of it. Until then I am fine with bickering over having subtitles on the tv and yelling at you for getting a stain on my sweater, as long as you know that I do it with love.
I love you from the deepest part of my heart,
Your Big Sister
English 110 Honors Spring 2020 
I love how your letter is both heartfelt, sweet, and funny at the same time. As the oldest of two girls myself, I found myself nodding along to every single word because it is all so relatable. I really like the way you write the second paragraph starting each sentence with “Sisters who hate each other don’t…” Doing so allows the reader to learn more about the funnier moments and backwards logic that comes from the bond between sisters- (I definitely understand the scrunchie dilemma). As you transitioned to a more serious note about the disagreements and tough love you give each other, I think you highlight the most important part of having a sibling. Especially with your line, “There is no one but you who could see that side of me and still love me,” you are able to show the indescribable connection of knowing someone your whole life and still loving them unconditionally. I also like how you look to the future and wonder how your bond will change as both of you grow, because it will undoubtedly get stronger. Thank you for the fun read, I hope you’re doing well!
-Cally Carmello
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To begin with, I absolutely loved everything about this letter for so many reasons. I don’t have any younger siblings, or even a sister, but to be honest, this is kind of how I imagined it would be like. My oldest brother and I are about 4 years apart, so I completely relate to the problems that come with a large age gap. I really liked your first paragraph, because it takes an outside perspective into view, which is extremely insightful. I loved the pictures you posted as well- they definitely capture the true nature of siblings!
-Kelsey McNamara
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I can really relate to this letter, as I also have a younger sister. It is a little different for me because I am an older brother and our age gap is only two years, but many of the interactions you outlined are still relatable. “One day we will both grow up and realize how much we need each other, and how much we have helped each other grow.” is a very powerful and relatable line for me, because I know that is exactly what will happen for me, too. Right now we easily get angered at each other and are so focused on the “annoying” parts of our younger siblings, but when we grow up, we will realize how we miss that part of them and how much they have impacted us.
-Romy Patel
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I really related to what you said about your seemingly hateful relationship with your younger sister. If this quarantine happened about four years sooner, I think my house would have been burnt down by now because of how much time we are forced to spend together. But, I agree very much with what you said about finally understanding each other. Since our age difference is much smaller than five years, that day might’ve come a little bit sooner for us, but I’m sure it is coming for you as well. And I know for me at least, we look back and laugh at all the petty things we did to annoy each other.
Chris Metzler
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