It’s hard to believe, but you graduate from high school on Friday. I can still remember the day mom and dad told Billy and I that we were going to have a little sister. I can still remember the day you were born. I can still remember the day you graduated from preschool.
You absolutely made our family complete, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it.
From a young age, you have always been selfless. You had no problem sharing, and that hasn’t changed one bit. We shared a room until Billy moved out, and even though I sometimes didn’t like sharing a room, you never complained. You even had the idea to disassemble our bunk beds so we could push them together and make one big bed for us.
We loved to play school together, and you were always content to let me be the teacher. I hope I have taught you valuable lessons outside of our make-believe classroom. I at least hope you have learned from my mistakes 😉
If I could describe you in five words, I would say you are faithful, intelligent, sweet, happy, and hilarious. Your faith in God inspires me. Your intelligence and dedication to learning is a beautiful thing to witness. You are sweet to everyone you meet. You’re one of the happiest people I know, and also the person I laugh with the most.
You have always been athletic, instrumentally talented, social, and hardworking.
You may or may not know this, but you have helped me through some pretty rough patches in my life. I have always wanted to be the best version of myself because I know you have looked up to me. Now that you’re almost 18, we can talk about anything, and you have been such a source of encouragement and love to me in the ups and downs of life.
Watching you go through hard times has absolutely broken my heart, but I know you’ve become stronger through it all. I wish I could take away the pain and fear you felt when you had to have an emergency appendectomy. I wish you never had to experience harsh words from people when you didn’t deserve it. What’s amazing to me is that you’ve never lost your spark, your faith, your happiness. I hope you never do.
I have watched you grow up before my eyes. Remember the time you got your first armpit hair and I was so excited? Sorry about that 🙂
You have always been beautiful, inside and out. You are a wonderful example to many in the way that you live your life for Christ.
As you graduate, I want you to know that I am praying for you. Your future is bright, Hannah banana. I pray you will always keep God first, and that you will remember how much you are loved.
Love,
Sissy
Living My Full Life 
This is so beautiful and heartfelt. 🙂 Congratulations to Hannah on her graduation.
Thank you, Grace!!
Ok, now that I’m bawling my eyes out and can’t see a thing- I’m trying to type a response to this beautiful post. You have been such a great example to Han in EVERYTHING you do Allie~ from your faith and love for God, and the example you and Jimmy give to Han and Josh as their relationship flourishes. You two are hilarious together and I a rarely understand what you two laugh at, but when you two laugh, I’m so happy inside. I love you both so much- my two beautiful daughters ❤️
Thank you so much, mom! Your comment means so much to me! I’m so happy you’re my mom ❤
Aw I love this!!! 🙂 I don’t have any sisters but my brother and I are super close! I even followed him when he moved from Ohio to Virginia!
Thank you, Liz! How amazing that you and your brother are close and you even followed him to Virginia! True sibling love right there!!
Aw this is so sweet Allie! I just called my sister because you made me miss her 🙂
Aww, thanks Ellie! I’m glad I could prompt you to call your sister! Sisters are the best, aren’t they?! It’s just such a special, unique relationship!
You moms comment is PERFECTION, as is this post. Beautiful!!
Isn’t it?! She made my day with that comment! Thank you 🙂
Well now I have tears in my eyes and chill bumps down my arms. This is just so precious. Allie, you are such a gifted writer and I love how well you are able to express how much you love Hannah and how much she means to you. Sisters are such precious gifts. Love this post! I feel like I nearly know Hannah just from hearing about her growing up over the past five years since I’ve been reading your blog! 🙂
Thank you so, so much Rach! You made my day! Isn’t it amazing that Hannah has basically grown up on my blog, haha?! It’s so much fun to look back and see how young she was in past posts and what she liked and did!
So, so great. You are a wonderful writer and sister. All the best to Hannah as she embarks on the next chapter!
Thank you so much, Amy!! That means a lot to me 🙂
…and here come the tears!
Beautifully written!! I share a similar bond with my younger sister, so I understand this closeness well. It’s a very beautiful thing!
Sending so much love to you AND huge congratulations to your sister! You both are incredible women!!
So sorry I made you tear up, Nicole!! I hope it was the good kind of tearing up :).
Isn’t the sister to sister relationship such an amazing, beautiful, and unique thing?! The way it grows and changes, yet we manage to stay close is just awesome. Love it!