Happy Birthday to my only sister

Today is not just the usual getting-old-another-year birthday, it’s my sister Ariane’s 18th birthday.

Happy birthday! I wish I could send you or bake you a cake but because I could not, here’s a virtual version (at least it has zero calories!).

In the Philippines, teenagers mark their 18th birthday as special. It is a way of presenting a young woman to the society, at least in my birth country. Some families splurge on this big day while others want it simple and memorable.

I don’t know if there will be a small party at home for Ariane’s birthday. But if there is, I am sending my warm birthday greeting and my wishes for the young lady. Too bad our house is not as crowded jolly as before: I am here with our mom, one brother is inTokyo, another in Manila and another in Cebu. Everything is not just the same when you’re all grown up.

Now at 18, people will probably quit asking if you are my daughter just like what they always do when we’re together. Couldn’t blame them really, just look at this old picture taken when you turned one! Don’t I look like a doting young mom? I can’t forget when we first went to the premier of The Lion King movie when you were 3 and I was just 16. People would give me demeaning looks thinking I got married young or worse, borne a child out of wedlock!!

Because the baby is now, a lady

To my no longer little sister: I wish you a life full of possibilities, discoveries, success, joy, love and meaning. Happy 18th birthday.

Love,

Big Sis

Share this post with others: Tweet