Photographer Aza Khan and Timothy Road Elementary School first-grader Anabiya Khan smile in a picture. Aza believes that it’s important to establish long-lasting bonds with younger siblings. Photo by Aza Khan
Photographer Aza Khan recalls memories with her younger sister and how they have shaped each other’s lives.
Dear Anabiya,
It was a beautiful day when you were born. The sun was shining, smiling even. I remember being illuminated with anticipation to meet the newest member of our family, my little sister:
You were so precious and so small. I was scared to hold you because I didn’t know what it meant to be a big sister after having been the baby of our home for ten years.
It blows my mind how much time has passed: seven years. I can still remember you crawling on the ground, or holding my hands while you were learning to walk on your own. In my head, I always thought you would be like me: extroverted, witty, funny and stubborn.
You were so precious and so small. I was scared to hold you because I didn’t know what it meant to be a big sister after having been the baby of our home for ten years.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Now, you make conversation with me as if you’re my age, even though we’re 10 years apart. You come banging on my door trying to “keep an eye on me,” when you know very well when it should be me keeping an eye on you.
You have a vocabulary that constantly surprises me. Sometimes, I have to replay our conversations in my head when as a 7-year-old, you use words like “invigorating.”
It amazes me how smart you are, how creative you are and how you look like a spitting image of me as if someone clicked copy and paste.
I realize that before you even get out of elementary school, I’m going to be in college, and it feels like I’m already growing apart from you. I just wish I had more time with you because it’s hard knowing I’ll be leaving you to go to college in two years.
I’m turning 17 this year, and I’m afraid that we won’t have time to overcome the barrier we have in our age gap. Right now, all I can do is teach you how to make wise decisions and be the role model you deserve.
I love you Anabiya.
Your loving sister, Aza
