C,

When we were babies, our mom used to make us do everything together. Your birthday party was my birthday party and we wore the same outfits I just wore it in a dress version. Growing up with you was like growing up with a twin except at the end of the day we went to separate houses. Do you think our moms planned it? When they got pregnant and then had us? For years we would bicker over our birthdays like there was nothing special about either one of us. I am two days older and he thinks that it doesn'tcount. It does. I of all people know what it is like to have a twin and my actual brother is three years younger than me. I know that we have genetics from both sets of our parents but we still get confused as siblings.

Do you remember the time that you broke my wrist by slamming it in that car door? My mom told me it wasn't broken but I remember it being the size of a grapefruit and purple. What does a four-year-old know about broken bones though?

Do you remember that one Easter when you stepped on that nail and then passed out from seeing the blood and I laughed for a month after?

Do you remember that time that the neighbor girl and I were riding bikes down the hill behind my house and you and my brother were throwing footballs at us like we were rolling targets?

Do you remember our couch forts, the SpongeBob movie on repeat, pretending to be ninja turtles, scooby doo push pops? THE TICKLE ME ELMO. Don't worry, be happy...

Do you remember being kids, I sure do.

The night you moved, I bawled, heck, I cried for a week straight. I know that you are doing so well where you are and you know that I'll always has your back.

Its weird for me to know that when I have children, you will be their second cousin and to me you are my brother. So, in the distant future you will be an honorary uncle. I am so thankful that you have stuck by me and I'm so appreciative that you were my first real best friend. I love you.

-A

There are so many things that my audience won't understand about this article. One thing that I want to make clear though is that family, is such a precious gift. Our days are numbered and no one loves us more than those we are born with .