Hey you,

I just wanted to write this letter to tell you how much I love and appreciate you. I know I don't say it often and I know we fight a lot but honestly, you are my best friend and always will be. All those late nights, car rides, outings and crazy things we did are just a reminder of how grateful I am to have a sibling like you. I take it all for granted most of the time and forget that some people aren't as lucky as I am to have a sibling in their life like you.

I still remember the day you were born. I had been waiting for months to finally hold you in my arms and be a proud older sibling. I'm sure mom got sick of me asking when she was going to bring you home. The day at the hospital when you were born was one of the most magical days of my life. I remember staring down at your little hands and legs in awe. I wondered how you could be so small and when you would be big enough to play with me. Would I always have to listen to you cry? Would you remember my name? Could you play tag with me in the yard? And when I finally said your name and held your hand, you sighed and grabbed my finger with everything you had. In that moment, I knew that I would protect you and love you for the rest of my life.

Growing up with you was, at times, difficult. Before you came into my life I was the center of attention. I didn't have to share toys and I was the one doing all the crying in the house. But of course, after having you home for a few days, I was so thrilled to have a younger sibling. I know that I haven't always been the nicest, and sometimes being an older sibling went to my head, but I want you to know that I always loved you and kept your best interest at heart. Anytime somebody was mean to you, I was the first in line ready to beat them up (which is not a good way to handle things, by the way). Nobody is allowed to make fun of you (except for me), nobody is allowed to hurt you or make you feel worthless. If anyone does, just remember I will take care of it and keep you safe. Remember all those movie marathons park adventures, races and coloring contests? Or, do you still think about those times when I sat you down and pretended to be a teacher and you would look up at me like I was the smartest person in the world? Remember all those funny nicknames I gave you? You used to hate them. I wonder how you'd react hearing them now. I'm always going to be your number one fan and will always be proudly cheering you on. It doesn't matter if it means being front row at your recitals, treating you to ice cream when you get a perfect 4.0 again, or just giving you a pat on the back for (finally) cleaning your room. You're going to accomplish so much in life and I'm so excited to see you grow up and become even cooler than you are now.

I know there were lots of times you didn't like me very much and we fought, but I'm glad we were always okay in the end. I'm sorry for all the times I wouldn't let you hang out with me and my friends, would ignore you or yell at you for no reason. I feel bad for all the names I've called you, all the times I bossed you around and threw you under the bus when mom and dad were mad at us. Now that we have grown up, you think I still boss you around and I know I'm not your parent, but I do it because I care. What I tell you may not make sense now, but I promise I'm just trying to teach you life lessons (trust me, even a few years of experience helps a lot). Hopefully one day we can get along perfectly and never fight, but that will only happen if you stop taking my stuff without permission and stop being so angsty. Thanks.

I'm so excited to get old with you, travel the world, learn things from each other, and just have a bunch of fun together. I am beyond grateful to have you in my life and nobody could ever replace someone as precious as you. You are not only my sibling but also my confidante, mentor, number one fan, partner in crime, and best friend. I love you so much and I hope you never forget how much you really mean to me. No matter how bad I am at expressing it, you mean the world to me and without you I would be lost. Thank you for all the constant support, love, motivation, and friendship.

I know I said it too much but I want to say it again, I love you so much.

Sincerly,

Your sibling