Lauren

Lauren,
16 years. 192 months. 834 weeks. 5844 days. 140256 hours. 8415360 minutes.
That is how long your presence has Graced the Earth.
Happy 16th birthday, sissy. I love you.

For your birthday, along with your gift and countless posts that I will dedicate to you, I am giving you 16 pieces of advice.

1. Find something you are passionate about
For the love of all things good find something you love, something you can't live without. Once you find it, never give it up.

2. Fall in love with yourself.
Just love you. It doesn't matter how many guys want to get with you, or how many girls wish they were you. As long as you can look in the mirror and love what you see, your golden.

3. Dive into God's word.
Your faith is so important, and it is something you need to establish now. Chase God with all that you are. Spend time in His presence everyday. Talk to Him. Love Him. Read His Word. Make these things a priority.

4. Listen to your mother.
I know she has crazy rules. There are a lot of girls your age who need the rules your mother puts on you. You may not see it now, but your mother's strictness is something you will be grateful for later in life.

5. Think before you post
The internet is forever, and people do see what you post. I challenge you to think before hitting send, post, tweet, etc.. Decide what to keep personal. There are some things that your followers don't need to know. The repercussions of what you post will effect you and those around you.

6. Swallow your pride
It is okay to cry. It is okay that you don't have it all together. It is okay to admit that you need help. Don't keep things bottled up inside. Swallow your pride and speak up when you need something. Know that you always have someone to confide in.

7. Run from the corner
The corner used to be your safe place. You used to hide by the wall behind your pin straight bangs. That time has long passed. Step out of your comfort zone, and embrace the unfamiliar. It will turn out better than you think.

8. Turn off your phone
I know it sounds crazy. We live in a society that is driven by cell phones. Every once and while, just turn it off. Take a break from social media, texting, or your phone in general. Unplug from the cyber world and take some time for yourself. It's nice to get a break.

9. Be safe with boys
I wouldn't be me if I didn't at least try to warn you about boys. Even though I could write an entire blog post about that subject alone, I won't. The rules for how you behave around boys, and what you expect from them have to be set by you. So, with that being said, make rules. Write down those rules, and hold yourself to them.

10. It really will buff out
In the grand scheme of all things eternal, life really will buff out. Huge problems now will be miniscule later. Of all the problems you will face at 16, maybe 2 of them will matter later in life. Things hurt now, but I promise that everything really will work  itself out.

11. Never stop loving music.
You have such a God-given talent. Never let anyone convince you to throw it away. Keep singing, learn to play every instrument you desire to play, lead worship when you get the chance. Just don't lose your love for it.

12. Take time for yourself.
Bad days are going to happen and on those days treat yourself to something special. Take a bubble bath, buy a new mascara, go to sonic, read a book, dance around your room, think about Spencer Reid,  drive with the windows down and the music up, call your brother or sister, watch Tangled, do anything that will make you smile.

13. Keep your circle small.
It is way better to have a handful true friends, than a load of phony ones. Your true friends shouldn't care what you look like, or judge you when your hangery. They are the ones you can call at any hour, day or night. They are the ones who give you advice with your best interest at heart. Find those friends, keep them close. Those are the ones you fight for.

14. Enjoy the journey
Make the most out of the life you have. Enjoy fine arts practices, never take voice lessons for granted, have fun making fun of your teacher (you know the one), act like a 6 year old, and do more of what makes your heart happy. Smile every day.

15. Wear make up to enhance, not cover up
God made you into exactly who He wanted you to be! Don't waste time in the mornings covering up  the beauty God gave you. Wear makeup, just wear it properly. Don't use it as a mask to cover up what you don't like. Use it to enhance the beauty you already have.

16. Chase your dreams.
Simple and sweet. You know the call God has on your life. Don't compromise that for anything. With every fiber of your being, wake up and make your dreams a reality.

**Surprise! A bonus one, since you are turning 16 and will be getting your license today.
 DRIVE SAFE. The text can wait, don't fight with your sister while you drive, please don't speed, just be careful. I live too far away for anything bad to happen to you. So... just drive safe so that I have one less thing to worry about. Please and thank you.



For years I wanted a little sister. I prayed that I would have a mini me to dress up, someone that would follow me around. I wanted a little sister that I could play with and love on. But I didn't hold you when you were a baby, or dress you up when you were a toddler. I wasn't there to witness your first day of kindergarten and  I never got to see you try to walk in your mothers shoes as a toddler. I have never seen you play softball, or hold pom-poms. There is an awful lot of your life that I have missed out on.

On the other side of the spectrum, there is a lot that I have been a witness too. I have seen you come out of your shell. I lived through your awkward middle school years with you. We've been together on many, many trips. We have memories in your town and in mine, as well as Orlando, Louisville, and too many others to name. I have been with you when your parents have fought. I remember going to camps together, your first real boyfriend, watching you walk across the football field on homecoming court, your first breakup, and so many fine arts memories. I have watched you fall in love with acting and music. We have laughed together (at my mothers floppy hat) and we have cried together. But most of all, we have made enough memories in the few short years of knowing one another to last us a lifetime.

I can't say that I have known you your entire life, but I can say that you are the closest thing to a sister that I have ever had. As far as I am concerned, you are my sister. Though distance and age difference are great, we have too much in common not to consider each other family. I couldn't be more proud of the young lady God gave me to fulfill my silent childhood prayers for a little sister. Thank you for being my friend, my human dictionary, my mirror, my secret keeper, my shrink, my mini-me, my walking calculator, my truth-teller, my partner in crime, my support, my little, my shoulder to cry on, my sing along partner, and more than anything else my sister.

Happy Birthday! I love you, Sister. I hope you have the best SurmfDay you could ever imagine. Make this year count.


xoxo
-B