emphasisadded: Haze, Our baby will be here any...

Haze,

Our baby will be here any day now.

(i say our baby because while she will be my dear little daughter…
i believe that sisters belong to each other)

A sister means having a best friend, a partner in life.
It also means an incredible amount of work….
Of worth-it work.

Z, take care of your sister.

Root for her.
There is no need to compete with a sister. Her wins are yours. Yours are hers.

Share everything with her.
Toys, bedtime stories, make-up brushes, your favorite blazer (like say, the purple velvet one your aunt Ellie always lent me)….your heart.

Pick her first.
Be it for the neighborhood Capture the Flag team or as the person who gets automatic shot-gun in your someday car (note - In 25 years or so, your spouse-to-be will usurp this position, but for now: sisters first, ok?)

Teach her about the world.
I am sure at some point, your dad and I will plead with you not to show her certain things, but in reality - I would rather life lessons come from you than some random on the playground.

Protect her.
From monsters under the bed, from mean girls, maybe even from herself at times. (And Hazel, if you ever need to smear marshmallows in someone’s hair in the name of retribution I may pretend to be mad, but secretly I will be immensely proud of your loyalty.)

Laugh with her.
Pick Berries with her.
Learn dances with her.
~~Sneak off to Mexico with her~~ (no! don’t do that. not ever!)
Be kind to her

and more than anything, love your sister with every inch of your heart.

…Because that is what your father and I will be doing for both of you girls every single day for the rest of our lives.

Your world is about to change Hazel, but I promise you - it is going to be for the (even) better.

Our baby has not yet arrived but I know that she has hit the sister jackpot.
I am proud of you already.

Thank you for being my #1 girl…
Let’s add another one to the team!
Mama