You knew me before I knew myself. The older sister of the mother who made me.

You were always around and I always liked you ❤

You became my best friend in the Fall of 1988, when I met you as an adult.

You were – God, more than a decade younger than I am now, when you watched my brother and me.

You took me to the Jersey malls, both Woodbridge and Menlo.

You said that when people ask how you feel about telling peole that you’re from Jersey: “I like it better than telling people I’m from Jersey.”

You gave me a home in Jersey when I was 13, and a candle in your bathroom after your home had changed, and you welcomed me into your home for a Thanksgiving night. You sat with me in my parents’ house as you helped excavate it, saying goodbye to the house with us.

You gave me Starbucks cards while being ashamed that they were all you could give, and they meant everything. And boots that make me think of you every time I put them on.

You listened to Rilo Kiley with me, that night.

You got it when I played my favorite song for you, and agreed that “It’s so fucking beautiful.”

You told me that someone once told you that when you wear your heart close, the world is going to be hard.

You are someone I will miss for absolutely ever.