Okay, so... I have a secret.
Well, I had a secret. Now I’m writing it down because I can’t hold it in any longer.
Hillary left for summer camp four weeks ago. FOUR. WHOLE. WEEKS. She was super excited, of course. She and her best friend, Emma, packed like they were moving to another planet. Sleeping bags, sunscreen, a thousand outfits she doesn’t need, and enough snacks to survive an apocalypse. I was a little jealous at first—I mean, horseback riding, swimming, campfires? Yes, please—but staying home turned out to be way better than I expected.
Because while Hillary’s been off making friendship bracelets and roasting marshmallows... I’ve been growing.
A lot.
It’s like my body decided this was the perfect time to hit fast-forward. I’ve been feeling it—those weird growing pains in my legs when I’m lying in bed at night, and that pull in my spine when I stretch first thing in the morning. I even had to start eating more because I’m hungry all the time. Mom says it’s my body fueling up for all this growth. I don’t mind—second breakfasts are my new favorite thing.
And the height? Oh, yeah. It’s happening.
When Hillary left, I was 4'6. As of today, I’m 5'0.
Five feet tall! I can’t believe it. Five feet. I’ve been waiting for this number since forever, and now here it is, staring back at me on the measuring tape. Mom marked it on the wall last night and made a big deal about it—Dad even clapped like I won an Olympic medal. I couldn’t stop grinning.
I’m taller than I’ve ever been, obviously, and closing in fast on Hillary’s 4'10. Actually, forget closing in. I’ve passed her. I measured three times to be sure. If Hillary came home right now and we did our usual back-to-back thing? I’d be two inches taller. And I’m still growing.
I can’t wait to see her face when she gets home.
I keep picturing it. She’ll walk through the front door all tanned and covered in mosquito bites, and there I’ll be, standing in the hallway. Taller. Different. I wonder if she’ll even recognize me at first! Okay, maybe not, but I swear I’ve changed so much in just a month. I’m not just taller—I feel taller. Straighter, stronger. Even my clothes fit differently. We went shopping last week because I outgrew everything. Pants, shirts, shoes—bye-bye, size 12 kids. Hello, size 3 juniors. And my bras? B cup is starting to feel snug. Mom thinks I’m heading for a C soon. Crazy.
It’s not just my body. It’s me. I feel confident. Like, when I pass a mirror now, I don’t flinch or shrink down. I stand up taller, even when I’m not thinking about it.
Hillary comes back in two days.
Two days, and I get to see her reaction. I’m so ready. She’s been the “big” sister for so long... I think it’s time for a little switch.