You were my first friend and you're still the one I call first. Happy birthday to the sister who knows every version of me and likes most of them.

Nobody else remembers the house the way you do: the creaky stair, the smell of Sunday dinner, the fights over the bathroom. Thank you for holding all that history with me. Have the best birthday, sis.

Some people get a sister. I got a built-in witness, a personal cheerleader, and a lifelong partner in crime. I'm grateful for every one of your birthdays, and today I'm celebrating this one loudly.

You've had a big year, and you handled it with more grace than you give yourself credit for. On your birthday I just want you to hear it plainly: I'm proud of you, and I'm lucky you're my sister.

If I could give you one thing this year, it would be the chance to see yourself the way I see you: brave, funny, ridiculously generous. Happy birthday, sister.

We grew up sharing a room, a closet and way too many secrets. Now I'd share just about anything with you except my fries. Love you, sis. Enjoy your day.

Thank you for every late-night phone call, every 'you're overthinking it,' and every time you showed up without being asked. Today it's your turn to be taken care of.

There's a kind of comfort only a sister can give: no explanations needed, no pretending. You've been that for me my whole life. I hope this year gives a little of it back to you.

Watching you become the woman you are has been one of the great privileges of my life. Happy birthday to my sister and, honestly, one of my heroes.

After the year our family had, I don't take a single birthday for granted. I'm so glad we got through it side by side. Here's to an easier, lighter year for you.

You still laugh at the same dumb jokes you laughed at when we were ten, and that's my favorite thing about you. Never grow out of it. Happy birthday.

Mom gave me a lot of good things, but you're the best one. Have a wonderful birthday, sis.

Today I'm thinking about how many times you've picked up the pieces with me, and how you never once made me feel bad about it. I hope your next year is full of people who do the same for you.

To my sister, who became my best friend somewhere between the bunk beds and the bridesmaid dresses: happy birthday. I'd pick you all over again.

Happy birthday to the sister who borrowed my favorite sweater in 2009 and still claims it was 'always hers.' Keep it. You look better in it anyway.

I'm not saying you were Mom's favorite, but I did notice you got the bigger slice of cake every year. Today you can have the whole thing. Happy birthday.

Thanks for keeping all my embarrassing childhood secrets. I'll keep yours too, as long as the birthday presents keep coming both ways.

Sis, you're officially a year older, but don't worry, I'll always be around to remind you that I'm still cooler.

You're the reason I know how to slam a door, win an argument and hide snacks from the rest of the family. Thank you for my education. Have a great birthday.

Happy birthday to my sister, my unpaid therapist, my fashion consultant, and the only person allowed to tell me my haircut is a mistake.

Remember when we promised we'd never turn into Mom? Well, I heard you tell someone to 'grab a jacket' yesterday. Happy birthday anyway, you're doing great.

I got you the perfect gift: another year of me as your sister. Try not to cry. Okay, there's also cake.

For your birthday I promise not to bring up the bangs. Or the bowl cut. Or the year you insisted on being called 'Jazz.' This promise expires at midnight.

Some sisters are like wine and get better with age. You're more like cheese: still great, slightly louder every year. Happy birthday.

Happy birthday to the only person who can make me laugh so hard at a family dinner that we both get sent to the kitchen. Even now. As adults.

You stole my clothes, my shampoo and my spot in the front seat for eighteen years. Today, as a gesture of peace, the front seat is yours. Just today.

Happy birthday to my favorite sister. Yes, even if you're my only one.

Love you to pieces, sis. Today is all about you.

Big hugs on your birthday. Calling you tonight, so pick up for once.

Sister by birth, friend by choice. Have a beautiful day.

Another year of you being amazing. Proud to be your sister.

Cake is better when you're the reason for it. Enjoy every bite, sis.

You make our family louder and better. Happy birthday!

Thinking of you today and every day. Hope it's a great one, sis.

Here's to you, the sister who always shows up. Celebrate big today.

Best sister, best friend, best birthday. Love you.

Just a quick text to say you're the best thing our parents ever did. Don't tell them I said that.

Today the world got a little luckier, the day you were born. Enjoy it, sis.

To my big sister: you went first at everything, so I never had to be scared. Thank you for clearing the path. Happy birthday.

Big sis, you taught me how to ride a bike, how to talk to boys, and how to sneak back in after curfew. Only one of those Mom knows about. Happy birthday.

You were the older sister who let me tag along even when it wasn't cool. I've never forgotten that. I hope today feels like being the one everyone wants to follow around.

Happy birthday to my older sister, who still gives the best advice I ignore and then quietly follow two weeks later.

To my little sister: I used to hold your hand to cross the street. Now you're the one I lean on. When did that happen? Happy birthday, kiddo.

Little sis, you were the annoying shadow I couldn't shake. Now you're the friend I can't imagine life without. Have a wonderful birthday.

I may be older, but you've been wiser about the things that matter. Watching you grow up has been the best part of being a big sister.

Happy birthday to my baby sister, who will be 'the baby' to this family no matter how many candles end up on that cake.

Being your big sister is the job I never applied for and would never quit. Love you, little one. Enjoy your day.

To the twin who got here a few minutes ahead of me and has never let me forget it: happy birthday to us, and especially to you.

I hate that there are so many miles between us today. Pour yourself something nice, put me on speaker, and let's pretend I'm on the couch next to you. Happy birthday, sis.

A whole country between us and I still feel closer to you than to most people in my zip code. Happy birthday. Your present is in the mail, probably late, like always.

Sending a big hug across three time zones. Check your door later today, sis.

Missing your birthday in person is the worst part of living this far away. Save me a slice, and I'll make it up to you at Thanksgiving.

Different cities, same inside jokes. Happy birthday from far away. Video call tonight?

I wish I could knock on your door with balloons today. Since I can't, consider this message a very loud, very off-key version of 'Happy Birthday' sung from across the map.

Distance hasn't changed a thing between us. You're still the first person I want to tell good news to and the first one I miss on days like this. Have a beautiful birthday, sister.

Even from here I can picture exactly how you'll spend today: coffee first, then insisting you don't want a fuss, then loving every bit of the fuss. Enjoy it. I'm with you in spirit.

I thank God for giving me you as a sister. May He bless your new year with peace, good health and every answered prayer.

You've been one of God's clearest gifts in my life. Praying today that you feel His love as much as you show it to others. Happy birthday, sis.

On your birthday I'm praying for you, the way you've always prayed for me: for strength on the hard days and joy on the ordinary ones.

The Lord knew I'd need a sister like you. Blessings on your birthday and on every day of the year ahead.

May God keep you close, guide your steps and fill your home with laughter this year. Happy birthday to my sister and my sister in faith.

Grateful to the universe, to God, to whatever brought us into the same family. Sending love and light on your birthday, sister.

We fought about the closet and who got the bigger bed, You took my clothes, I took the blame for things that you had said. But through it all, from then to now, there's one thing I'd defend: I got the best of sisters and I got a lifelong friend.

You held my hand when I was small, You caught me every time I'd fall. Today I hope the whole world sees The sister you have been to me.

A sister is a mirror and a lamp, A laugh across the table, a shoulder when it's damp. So here's to you, my sister, on the day that you were born: The sun came out a little more that very first morn.

Another year, another cake, Another wish for you to make. I hope it comes true, every part, From the sister who loves you with her whole heart.

Roses are red, our childhood was wild, You still act the same as when you were a child. That's why I love you, and that's why I say: Have the most ridiculous, wonderful day.

Dear sis, I've been trying to figure out how to say this without getting sappy, and I've failed, so here it goes. You've been part of every chapter of my life. You were there for the bad haircuts and the good grades, the breakups and the weddings, the day we moved Mom and Dad out of the old house. You never made me feel small for needing you. This year I want you to take more than you give for once. Rest when you're tired. Say yes to the trip. Let people make a fuss over you. You've earned every bit of it. Happy birthday, and thank you for being my sister.

Happy birthday to the person who knows exactly how I take my coffee, which songs make me cry and which relatives to avoid at reunions. I don't say it often enough, but you're the steadiest thing in my life. When everything else changed, jobs, cities, even the people around us, you stayed. I hope this year treats you as kindly as you treat everyone else. I hope your plans work out and your surprises are good ones. And I hope you know that no matter where life takes either of us, you'll always have a place to land with me.

Sis, a year ago I couldn't have guessed everything this year would throw at you. I watched you handle a new job, a move and more family drama than any one person should have to manage, and you did it while still remembering everyone else's birthdays. So today, someone gets to remember yours properly. I'm taking you to dinner, I'm paying, and you're not allowed to check your phone once. Happy birthday to the strongest, kindest, most stubborn woman I know. I wouldn't trade you for anything.