100.

I have a little sister. And today, she embarks on a crazy wild journey. 

Senior year of high school. 

I also have a little brother. And today, he embarks on a crazy wild journey, too. 

Senior year of high school. 

Wait, what?! How did this even happen?! 

My beautiful, bold, tender-hearted sister. I love her as much as she loves shopping, story-telling, and pedicures. 

My handsome, bold, rough and tumble brother. I love him as much as he loves four-wheeling, guitar solos, and combat. 

It's changed everything, having siblings. My heart aches to give them a head start in this Pinterest, Xbox, photo-shopped world. 

I'm certainly not going to get it perfect, but you better bet I'm going to give it a wild and wonderful go.

Brother isn't best loved through words. He'd be the first to tell you that words of affirmation isn't his love language. He'd rather go hit a round of golf balls or just sit and create music. That's love to him. and I love that :)

But sissy? She's a lot like me. Words are a big, big deal. And this space is one of the best ways I can highlight her as she begins her last year of high school.

So, baby sister, this one's for you. Here's 100 things I desperately want you to know as you step into your very last year of high school. As you get ready to leave the nest. 

Yep. 100. I love you that much. and more. 

1. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of body. Sissy, claim your heart beauty. Jesus gave it to you, so wear it proudly; it shouts His goodness.

2. The benefit of the doubt is sometimes the best gift we can give our friends. 

3. There will always be mean girls and mean boys. That doesn't mean we find a tower and Rapunzel ourselves away from the world.

4. DO NOT TEXT while you drive. Seriously. It can wait. 

5. Don't you be settling. He better open the car door for you.

6. Sissy, you are always welcome in my wardrobe. 

7. The world needs your point of view. Share it. 

8. I'm just really thankful that you like avocado now. I have prayed and prayed that you would come to appreciate it. and you have. you make me proud.  

9. You are capable. Of WAY more than you can imagine right now. 

10. Write. You're good at it. Really good at it. 

11. Cook, clean, organize, serve because you love to. not because someone tells you you're meant to. 

12. Music makes everything better. and I will always dance with you. 

13. Academics are important. Work hard. Really hard! But don't let it consume you. God's agenda is way more than the school's agenda. 

14. You'll never be too old for me to embarrass you. Just get used to it. 

15. Nothing you could ever tell me will ever make me want to stop hearing from you or claiming you as sister. 

16. We need your story. 

17. No prayer request is ever too small, too silly, or too embarrassing to share. 

18. It's a good idea to wash your face and brush your teeth every night. 

19. Stinkin wear sunscreen. I saw your burns this summer. Be smart. 

20. Your eyes melt hearts. There is joy there. Purpose there. Hope there. 

21. A drive to the top of the world with your best girls make for a perfect evening. 

22. Find one spot to put your keys when you get home everyday. You're less likely to lose them. 

23. Words can build bridges between people. So can hugs. 

24. Home isn't where we live. It's who we love. 

25. Get the app Heads Up app. and play it as often as possible. It will make you laugh harder than you have ever laughed before. and it might just force you to get over yourself and step outside your comfort zone.

26. You can do it. Whatever "it" is, you can do it. 

27. Caitlin means "pure." Your name carries special, significant meaning. 

28. Inevitably, I will splinter your heart. But I promise we will tweeze it out together. 

29. I love more deeply and more recklessly because of you. Thank you. 

30. Staying up late to read is never wasted time. 

31. Good girls and good boys aren't boring. 

32. A good mascara is always worth the investment. and a good hand soap, too. 

33. Plan on eating three times a day. Waiting until dinner each day and trying to make it through senior year is never gonna work. Get up earlier or stay up later to plan appropriately for the day. 

34. Saying sorry first is a sign of strength, not weakness. Don't make forgiveness a game. 

35. I'm so on your side. even on the days when it doesn't feel like it. at the end of the day, I'm always in your corner. 

36. Your body is priceless. A wonderful gift to be shared with your spouse. And I desperately pray you will unwrap that gift together with your husband, cait. But if you don't, don't be afraid to be honest. I will always be here to sit in the trenches with you and speak that big anointing over you full of creativity and purity and beauty. 

37. The movies lie. I am convinced that passion isn't a contorted exercise on a marble staircase; it's doing dishes together at the end of the night and lying with your feet touching in bed at the finish of a long day. When I get married, I'll be sure to report back as to the validity of this :) 

38. Always fight fair. But don't be afraid to fight. 

39. God says He has made all things beautiful. That means you, sis. 

40. Lunch dates with you? They are precious to me. 

41. A good cry is great therapy. 

42. Jesus-loving women aren't immune from cliques. Love on regardless. 

43. Bad hair days are inevitable. 

44. A strong man isn't threatened by a strong woman. 

45. Go big even if it might mean failing big. Especially then. 

46. Sissy, be the friend you wish you had. 

47. Travel. Lots and lots. to the ends of the earth.

48. You cannot control what others think about you. Let it go. Be you. 

49. I will be your best friend. But I will be your protective big sister more. and sometimes that means you won't like what I will have to say. #sorrynotsorry 

50. You can sing. Don't be afraid to belt it out. 

51. You can't go wrong with some Kari Jobe, T-Swift, or lullabies. 

52. Stop for sunsets. Always stop for sunsets. 

53. You are going to be the best auntie. and my boys are going to geek out someday when they see how great you are on a long-board. 

54. Husbands need a wife. Not another mom. 

55. Patience. You might just have to consciously ask for this every day. Because it's hard sometimes. 

56. Instagram your life. It's fun and I like to see what you're up to. But don't JUST Insta your life. Live it. 

57. I have never been the one to help you with any kind of project that involves drawing. That will not be changing this year. Bring me a paper to edit. I'm all over that. 

58. The only thing holding you back from making a difference in the world will be yourself. 

59. I will always share chicken fingers and fries with you. 

60. If you keep your room clean, life will stress you out less. 

61. Sometimes, stepping out and doing the impossible for Jesus looks foolish to others. That's okay. Be foolish. 

62. Real life is always better than online life. 

63. A good friend loves at all times. Period. 

64. The generic peach-o's taste better than the brand name ones. 

65. I'm more interested in your growth than in your happiness. 

66. I will earthquake wide open when you hurt. and I will always come when you call. 

67. You don't always have to do what mom and dad tell you to do. There is a respectful way to disagree.

68. Challenge yourself. 

69. Don't let your Spanish classes go to waste. Use the language you've learned!

70. Dramamine, Advil, and a good multi-vitamin: always a good idea to have around. 

71. We need each other. 

72. You will love again. 

73. The painful truth is always easier than a messy lie. 

74. Jesus loves you, this I know. In my heart, my bones, my soul. 

75. Find joy in what you have. Right here, right now.

76. The next time there's a thunderstorm, go stand outside. barefoot. and feel the electricity pulse through your soul. It's exhilarating.

77. Don't let the child in you die. Nurture the huge imagination and the belief in the impossible. 

78. The world is a full of beauty but often a few things can make it seem harsh. Open your heart to goodness and gladness and gratitude. The choice between being an optimist or a pessimist will remain right there in front of you. Choose one, choose wisely!

78. You have GROWN so much this last year. and I couldn't be more proud. 

79. There's no such thing as perfect. Except Jesus. He's perfect. 

80. Nothing will make me love you any less. You're family. 

81. You're the most brave when you're the most scared and choose to keep going anyway. 

82. I'm never tired of being your sister. 

83. Soak up every single day of this year. every.single.day. 

84. It's scary to stick up for what's right. I know that. I validate that. But sissy, it's so worth it. 

85. God loves you because of who He is. Not because of anything you did or didn't do. 

86. Oh, my darling sister, the best is yet to come. Truly. The best is yet to come. 

87. Yield. 

88. It's rude not to be on time. So do what is necessary to be where you need to be, when you need to be there. 

89. If we all threw our issues in a pile and saw everyone else's, chances are we'd grab ours back. Find gold in the thistle. It's always there. 

90. Don't audit life. Make the most of it. 

91. Be eccentric now. Don't wait until your old age to be cooky and crazy. Life's too short not to have fun. 

92. Overprepare, then go with the flow. 

93. Burn the candles, use the fancy dinnerware set, don your fancy party dress. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 

94. Get rid of things that aren't useful. Clutter weighs you down. 

95. Life isn't always fair, but it's still good. Life can always be good. Shift your perspective when needed to find the goodness. 

96. Stick with the iPhone. It's a good call. 

97. Be extravagantly generous with your love. 

98. Claim your identity as the King's daughter. 

99. Jesus will always come through. He is your biggest, most faithful fan. 

100. You will always be my favorite baby sister. and I am so thankful that God chose you to be a part of my family.

Happy last first day of school, little one. 

I love you there and back.