Every year it comes, and every year it occurs. Every year people across the state, the country and the world wear a specific robe and model an unattractive hat complete with a tassel. Every year students graduate from high school, but it is only once that a younger sibling does. It is a different type of feeling, sometimes one that seems surreal, one that seems too good to be true. As an older sibling with a younger sibling who graduated this graduation season, I know these feelings firsthand. Included here are five thoughts that might run through your head if your little sibling is graduating from high school, or from any school in that matter.

1. “I am so proud!”

As much as a lot of us older siblings don’t always want to recognize that our younger sibling could be awesome, graduation is a time where recognizing their awesomeness is 100% appropriate. In fact, it is deserved. Any big accomplishment like graduating high school should be one big celebration, and as an older sibling, I am so grateful to be a part of supporting my sister in this accomplishment.

2. “Seriously, who are you and what have you done with my younger sibling?”

As an older sibling, it seems like yesterday that my sister was playing in the backyard as I did homework. I never thought the day would come that she would do anything but play, as it seemed like that day would never come. Sometimes as the older sibling it is hard to think of a younger sibling in a serious light, and now that reality is hitting hard. Now they are an “adult,” now they are going in their own direction, now the once dysfunctional, dependent mini me is a little bit more on top of things.

3. “Wait, when did this happen?”

Graduating high school for most people is the next step after turning 18. It is hard for older siblings to comprehend that our little siblings are not so little anymore. They are now going off on their own adventures too. It is just hard for us to believe because, well, it seems like yesterday that they were tattling because we looked at them the wrong way or something ridiculous along those lines. At least they have come a long way from then.

4. “You know stuff?"

As the older sibling, oftentimes the younger sibling is not trusted with much, especially with what they say as valid, 90% of the time. This is supported by hard evidence of all of the times that they have cried wolf and there wasn't actually any, all of the times that they believed something that was not the truth and all of those times that they lied to the parents to get the older siblings in trouble. Now that the little sibling has a certification of at least knowing something, they might be more capable of contributing in a "real" conversation...implying that they can now be trusted? I, for one, will need a little bit of time to get used to this!

5. “They have no idea what is coming next!”

Often times when a person graduates from high school, they feel really accomplished, and along with that comes a sense of feeling like they know everything, feeling like they kind of know what to expect next. The reality is, what is expected to come next is not the reality that will become theirs. Being an older sibling, and someone who has been in those shoes, all we can do is hope that they continue in life with an open mind. Watching a younger sibling makes you remember when you wore those robes, and got that diploma. Yeah. No one has a clue, and some of us want our younger siblings to actually succeed in life. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

As older siblings, we might have these five thoughts floating through our heads as we watch our little siblings graduate, and maybe for a time after too. It is hard to comprehend that our little siblings are growing up, and an event such as graduation only confirms that verdict. It is an exciting time to celebrate all of their accomplishments, but also a time where you want to help prepare them for what is ahead. They might not listen to our advice, but at least we can still love them.

Loving our little siblings as they are allows us to hold onto the ‘little’ part of them that will always be present. Every year will bring another round of graduations, and every year from now on will only remind us how old we are getting. No matter the number of graduation seasons that separate the present from this moment, our little sibling they will always be!