To My Sister

the only one this letter could ever be written to.

Dear Oyin,

You are everything I can't explain. But for you, I'd make an attempt, because I need you to at least catch a glimpse of yourself from my lens.

You are the total package — calm, cool, and collected. You are smart, brilliant, kind, and beautiful. Your heart is so pure and you have such a lovely personality. I love how you smile, how you talk, how you sing and how you love people.

You are truly remarkable and it's in how you manage things, people, yourself, your work and your mind, and it's just so brilliant because you are still so young.

I love how you love— loudly, unashamedly and what amazes me about this is how you still show up as authentic, never afraid to be vulnerable. I dare say in a busy world, you are a calm space, anyone could meet you today and bare their soul to you. You are not even the one to save, but you are the one to listen, comfort, love and hold.

You are so focused, so diligent, so organized, and so responsible. And sometimes it scares me that you are so well behaved, put together, and gentle and soft.

When I think of you, I think of the flowers that bloom in spring. They only show up in the calm and at the beginning, it's just the beauty you see but it starts to unravel into other shades, colours, hues and then you are left in awe.

I have experienced your intelligence, how well you articulate your thoughts, how determined you can be to reach your goal, your curiosity. The more I experience you, the more I want to know.

It's interesting how we are different people, but also like opposite poles that only seem to attract. Everyone says we look the same but we don't have the exact same complexion, I do think we share the same eyes and laugh. But ultimately, different interests, while your best colour is blue, mine is pink. You are so prim and proper and I don't think I'm like that.

I'll be honest, our relationship was rigid at the start, because having a sister can be like magic, the kind that unfolds like a dream, one you don't understand until you are older and they're still the one by your side. That's when you see it, the blessing this truly is, to have someone to do life with, your own automatic friend.

They say life doesn't come with a starter pack but it comes with family, and that's a bundle of blessing in itself.

We have laughed until we cried, argued and made up, and shared moments I'll never forget.

5 things I love about you.

1. You feel like home.

You smell like home — soft, familiar, comforting. Like banana fruit with a strawberry twist, the best thing in the world. Having a sister like you has changed my life. You’ve truly seen me, and being your sister has been one of the best part of my life.

2. Your gentle strength.

You have been a blessing and sometimes I think of us as two peas in a pod, not because we look alike, but because, as different as we are, we always fit perfectly together.

You are wholesome, and I remember growing up with you meant company, it meant experiencing your kindness, your softness and the beauty of your world and your gentleness. You are also very patient with me, thank you.

3. Your beauty.

Your rich brown skin is honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. You’re beautiful inside and out.

4. Your heart.

You’ve been my anchor. You’ve supported me on days I felt weak, and even in small ways (like when you overheard a VN you thought was meant for me and you were in “support mode”), I’ve felt your love rock me gently. Growing up with you has brought me so much joy.

5. Your love.

When I think of me, I think of you. Having you as my sister means I’ve never had to do life alone. Having a friend that I never have to doubt.

It always just feels good to have someone to share with. And it will never not feel that way with you.

Your love has steadied my boat. It has truly been the best gift. You are the gift that keeps giving.

As you grow older, I feel like I have been involved in the makings of someone precious and powerful.

I strongly believe that being a sister is a God given assignment. The responsibility to lead someone right, to ensure that they never get to experience the mistakes that cost you. It's also having someone to hold and love selflessly. There's so much joy in all of these— loving , giving, helping, and sacrifice. And it has greatly improved the quality of my personality.

I love you so much and that goes without saying. You exist so finely, you were necessary for me and I thank God for being so intentional.

You have been my gist partner, a friend to sit with, eat with, watch TV with, fight with, go to school with— all of these, as mundane as it may seem, has helped shape my life in beautiful ways.

For the longest time having a sister signified comparison whether it was looks or academics or character but somehow we always saw each other, loved each other and as I often say, “it has always been us against the world”.

You are also a great listener, you are funny, you have a good sense of humour. You have such a beautiful soul.

You are, truly, a beacon of light.

If you ever come to any moment in life, where you don't feel enough, do not, I pray, discount the impact you have had in my life. You are everything.

And for you, a thousand times over. ❤️

Love,

Victoria. 🤍