Happy 30th Birthday!!!! Words can’t express just how much you mean to me. I can’t think of a time in my life where I needed you and you weren’t there. I know there’s only a little more than 5 years between us, but the wisdom you’ve given me over the years has been priceless. I don’t care what I may have been going through you were there. I remember being a cheerleader in the 8th grade and you came all the way from Durham to Goldsboro, on a weekday, just to go to my game. That meant more than you’ll ever know. Every major event in my life, from pageants to graduation, you were always right there and I can’t thank you enough.

But it’s at least worth a try, so here goes….

Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to be the “good girl.” Sure, we have our fun, but we know when to walk away. Thank you for believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you for showing me that you can still be in the “in crowd” while keeping your standards and morals. Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to be the first to achieve my dreams, and my real friends won’t feel threaten by it, only inspired. Thank you for being living proof that not all African American Women are “baby mommas”. Thank you for supporting the decisions I’ve made, even when you didn’t fully agree with them. Thank you for being the big sister I never had, but always wanted. Thank you for being the shoulder that I’ve cried on many times. Oh yeah, and thanks for not killing me that time I stole your car just to drive around the block. LOL

I would go on and on, but you’ve done more for me than I’ll ever be able to thank you for so I’ll end saying this…You’re more than a cousin to me,  more like a sister. I honestly don’t know how I would have turned out if you weren’t in my life. I was constantly fighting in Middle and High School and you were the only one to tell me that it wasn’t cool. Everyone else was saying, “oh well she deserved it” or “I’m glad you got her.” You (and my dad) were the only ones to tell me that it wasn’t necessary. That was the 10^th grade when we had that talk and I haven’t gotten into a fight since. 🙂 Although, I later found out that you’ve ran up on a few girls in your lifetime as well. LOL Anyhoo, thanks for everything! I hope this is one of the happiest most successful years of your life. Happy 30th Birthday, I love you. I know if I’m half the woman you are when I’m 30 I’ll be in pretty good shape.

Love You

Danielle