A Happy Birthday to the Sister

 On me: Polo Ralph Lauren sweater, CottonOn skirt, Zara coat, Forever 21 hat, Gap socks, H&M booties, Aldo necklace

On Lara: Thrifted sweater, H&M leggings, Asos coat, Foxiedox faux fur vest, H&M beanie, Converse sneakers

Photography and edit by Anthony King

Prepare the tissues. Here comes the waterworks.

Dear Lara,

Today you turn 18. Un. Freaking. Believable. I still can't fathom that my little sister, my baby sister, is no longer a baby. And even though you are 5 years younger, you continue to teach me things I didn't think a mind of your age could fathom. I admiringly commend you for the struggles you go through while staying the young and naive teenage rebellion you are. The hardships you face oftentimes question your sense of character but you manage to remain headstrong. You emit a wild-spirited energy that I admire so much and I hope it'll never change the older you get. Your mind is already mature but your heart stays pure. You never fail to think of others first even when your happiness is at jeopardy but you can't help it because generosity runs through those vulnerable veins. You are a beautiful kind-hearted soul that sometimes needs a little help realizing so. But that's what I'm here for--to remind you that you deserve the world. 

If there were such things as soulmates, I believe you are mine because I don't need a significant other to complement me the way you do. We are so in sync yet so different at the same time. And as with any sibling relationship, we fight until the world crashes but it only takes a few minutes for us to forget it all. I know I may be overbearing and overly motherly (maybe even embarrassing), often worrying over your careless ways, but I know that you always make it somehow, no matter how eclectic or unusual you do so. I can already see a colorful future ahead for you because you are truly one-of-a-kind.

Happy Birthday little one. May you continue to shine light on the ones you love with that precious smile of yours.

Love,
Your Mai Mai