Sweetie,
From the first time I met you all those years ago, despite being nervous beyond words, I felt that there was a certain connection between us. I looked at you as the little sister that I never had, but would have loved to have. I wanted, somewhat desperately, for you to think of me as your big sister. I have tried many times to express how much the way that you and your beautiful mother welcomed me into your family has meant to me. All those attempts fell very short of the emotions that I have been trying to convey. This attempt, most likely, will be no different, but that will not deter me.
Believe it or not it has been about thirteen and a half years since we first met. I can not believe that so much time as passed. In that time you have not only grown into the most beautiful young woman I have known, but you have become one of the most important people in my life.
I truly do think of you as my sister, no matter what you will always be my sister. I am so glad to have you in my life. I am sorry and even a little ashamed to say that I am not at a point where I can say and sincerely mean that despite what is happening in my life at least it brought me to you and gave me my son. I hope that you will not be upset or insulted by my inability to say such things and instead realize that through all of the pain I am currently experiencing in my life you are among the VERY few people who actually mean anything to me.
Thank you. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for not only being one of the very few people in who have remained in my life, but also for being right up there near the top of the list of the most important people in my life. We may have started out as sisters-in-law, but I am proud to just call you sister. The best sister. My sister.