for 19 years and three months, this woman has been harassing me, checking me, pestering me about cleaning my room and what time to be home .. almost like she’s my mother. she has always made sure that i was grounded, no matter what endeavor i was tackling. as a kid, she always supported the things i wanted to become. fashion designer? “Mom buy her a sewing machine.” singer? “can someone please get this girl a karaoke machine, jeez.” and the list goes on. though the moments we have bumped heads have been in an abundance, she has always managed to be the bigger person to help me realize that though we fight, sisterhood is something that will FOREVER remain. “blood is thicker than water” – her mantra. my sister is a phenomenal person. i am not sure how else to describe her. to be so family oriented for your entire life and never losing faith in our nuclear household is such an admirable trait to have. though it has been a long journey in terms of trying to understand each other, i am so glad and thankful to Allah for the relationship we have today. I love that we are practically best friends but never waiver in remembering that we are family first and if someone needs to be put in their place, we have no problem doing so. today is the first birthday my sister has celebrated and is not home, and i never realized how attached to her i really am. i have never, to this day, witnessed someone who has had my back the way she does. i never go without much because of her and my mother of course. but she is the best friend i have always had, just never realized was there. i believe one of the most keen relationships a girl can have is the one she shares with her sister. i love that we are only a year apart. i love that we never let matters of the world come in between us. i love that you are 21 and i still want to emulate your every move like i used to when i was 3. i love the growth i have seen in you. my sister deserves the world. she is astonishing. love you Kaha, can’t wait till you’re home! “drinks on ME!”