A Love Letter to Rosie

It was dark in my room and I lay on the top bunk in the master bedroom of our house.

Lydia, four years old and the second born, lay tangled up in the sheets of the bottom bunk, snoring away.

 I was probably around six or seven years old. 

The door creaked open and the tiny figure of my two year old, toe head blonde sister came waddling in, her blue eyes shining in the dark.

 I don't remember much of the in between, but within moments you were snuggled in my arms on that top bunk. Tucked under the covers with your arms right next to mine. You were scared so I sang you lullaby after lullaby. Honestly, I think I sang Jesus Loves You, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, maybe Amazing Grace, and then I Love You Lord over and over and over again until you fell asleep. Eventually we were all snoring. You in my arms. My little sister. My snuggle buddy. Lydia safe and sound underneath us. And the songs of the stars whispers in our minds as we fell asleep.

We shared a bed until I was in high school I think. I remember how hard it was whenever I left for camp. A whole week away from you and the rest of the family. I missed them all, but the joy on your face when you came rushing into my arms, me swinging you around like a little maniac, when you all came to pick me up from camp was priceless. I remember Mama telling me about how you would insist on sleeping in her bed when I was gone. My heart burst with love for you. 

Now I am gone from our home for a lot longer than a week at a time. Tonight as I fall asleep you will not be snuggled up next to me, insisting on lullabies. Although, I suppose you much prefer sleeping on the floor now, strange as it sounds, and our claustrophobia and grown up sizes might make that sleeping arrangement a bit tricky anyway. 

But regardless, you are my snuggle bug. My Rosie cheeks. My buddy. 

You are growing up into such a beautiful young woman. But you will also always be my baby sister. 

I love that we can talk about life together. Your crushes and friendships. We can talk about Jesus and chick flicks and sometimes scary things too.

I love how incredibly creative you are. Folks, this girl has her own crochet business with her friends! It's incredible! I am infinitely proud. And infinitely blessed to have my own supply of warm hats and bandanas made by my very own sister.

Your smile has always been one of playful mischief. All those times we played Aribia, our made up magical story world, and you, of course, were Crystal Frost, the mischievous little sister of Jack Frost. Your pranks were legendary, even if they only existed in the world of our imaginations. But your smile is not all mischief. It is also full of joy. Playfulness and love for others. Your smile shows how excited and passionate you are about things. 

While you are an absolute tease, you also love others really well. You give strong hugs and you think outside the box. I am always amazed when we are traveling and you find gifts for your friends. You know them so well and you find specific things that 'fit' them and their interests. It reveals how you care deeply for your people. 

From a young age you treated people with such genuine kindness, wanting everybody to be friends. I commend you. And I'm also proud of how you've learned to deeply consider the kind of people you let influence you. And I'm thankful God gave you some pretty awesome friends who love you, adventure with you, and play imaginatively alongside you.

Today you are fifteen years old. In the past month I've found myself telling people you were fifteen before you were. In some ways it just makes sense. And in other ways my head is spinning today that my sweet baby sister, grown up as you are, is fifteen years old. So grown up. 

I am excited to continue growing up together, even if we are miles apart. To keep learning together. Discovering and dreaming together. To watch fun chick flicks together, even if the kissing grosses you out. I'm so thankful that you are a video call away, and I get to watch and love you from afar. I'm thankful that you are my sister. 

Sisters are a very special bond. There is a sort of depth in which you experience life together. Being a sister and having a sister is a gift. 

Watching you grow up, Rosie, is a gift. 

Watching you learn is a gift. 

Watching you dance is a gift. 

I pray you continue to find Jesus in all you do. To dance with Him through every moment of life. In the sorrow and suffering, and in the joy and celebration! And I thank God for all the dances I've gotten to do with you. And for every adventure we get to have together. 

Love you forever my sweet Rosie Nosie Cheeks. 

Sincerely,

Sophi