Dear Mom and Dad,

    About the eye roll thing, I can see how that would get annoying. But you see, I'm still stuck in the phase where you both are dumb as dirt. Child psychologists suggest that I'll snap out of it in my early twenties, so there's hope. But despite my sage, eighteen year old wisdom, part of me knows that you're right. But only sometimes. Don't get excited.
    So I guess in the most oppositional way possible, I'm trying to say thank you and I love you.
    I can't imagine how hard it must be for a parent to play tug of war with their child.

    *lets go of rope*

    Signed,
    Emma


Dear Erik,

    Someday you're going to have to let loose. You can't be so uptight your whole life or steam will keep building up and then you'll shatter. Believe me. Take it from someone who kept everything inside for so long. You can't be like me.
    You're the most hardworking person I know and someday you'll be the best guy there ever was.  But before you get too full of yourself...
    I'm your big sister and you're still a knucklehead sometimes.
    When you go to college don't get too "frat".

     Signed,
     Emma


Dear Ellie,

     You may be taller but I'm older. Just to make that clear. I'm the alpha dog.
     But I'm glad you're the Beta dog. When I'm gone, I know the manners of the household are left in good hands. And I know that because you're growing up. You don't deface my property anymore, you just bruise my self esteem a tad. Because really, you're beautiful and I don't tell you that enough. Because I wish I had an older sister to tell me that.
      You're very capable, and sure the world is scary but hey, I'm scared of the dark. You just can't let it stop you.
       I hope you get to marry Captain America someday.

      Signed,
      Emma


Dear Everson,

     Every family has a hothead. And generally I don't get along with the hotheads.
     You drive me crazy. (seriously just flush the toilet, that's all I ask.)
     And because you make me want to pull my hair out, I might just love you the most. And when you come and give me hugs with no ulterior motives other than just stopping what you're doing to show me that you have a soul and you're not an ornery menace, my heart melts a little. Because under all the dirt, sweat and reptile facts, you're the most genuine little boy and I never want anything to happen to you.
      But if you start milking rattlesnakes or get another idiot job, I'm disowning you.

      Signed
      Emma


Dear Elisha,

     You mister, have had my heart since the beginning.
     I just love your smile and your laugh. I love how excited you get about reading and playing dress up. Being a kid is the best, and if there was a right way to be eight years old, you're it.
     And I want you to know that you don't have to do anything you don't want to you. Don't you let anyone ever tell you that you can't be something because of anything. As long as you love it, it's worth it.
     When you're older I expect you to read The Westing Game because that's a good book and your other siblings are blind to literature.

     Signed,
     Emma


Dear Egan,

     Oh boy are you lucky. I did so many dumb things that by the time you're a teenager, Mom and Dad won't care NEARLY as much when you "mess" up.
     But in all honesty, I'm sorry for being gone most of your life. I'm sorry that everytime I'm gone overnight you assume that I'm never coming back. And I'm sorry that it's going to be like that. I don't want to be your phantom older sister and missing chunks of your life is is hard because I held you as a baby and I knew immediately that I would miss you growing up because I would be away at school.
     But I want you to know that you'll always have me. You'll always have your big sister to come and talk to our parents when they're overreacting. And I'll bring you to concerts and I'll do fun things with you as much as I can. And when you're a Dad, and I hold your baby for the first time,  I promise I'll cry.
     And don't think I forgot that half the stuffed animals in your bed belong to me.

     Signed,
    Emma