Dear Older Brother,

I'll never know what it is like to be the older sibling...especially to a sister like me. We both know we have had our fights and arguments, but at the end of the day you're my best friend by birth. There are multiple things that I could thank you for, and that I want to thank you for. However, there are not enough words to get my point across. Here are some of the key ones that stand out to me...

Thank you for paving the way for me. If it wasn't for you I would have been lost since day one. You have always been there to guide me in the right direction. Whether we agreed at first or not, somehow you always knew what was best. Thank you for helping me avoid the mistakes you made growing up and for helping me overcome the mistakes I did make. Also thank you in advance for all the mistakes in the years to come that I know you will help me with.

Thank you for being a role model. Whenever I was asked who my role model was, you were always the first person that came to mind. You have always shown me how to be determined, goal oriented, persevering, and many other characteristics. I have learned from you that I can do anything I put my mind to, mainly because I grew up watching you do the same.

Thank you for your support in everything I do. I know most brothers dread going to dance recitals or competitions, soccer games, pageants, or anything else I have ever been a part of. However, having your support means the world to me. The simple "good luck" texts, or "I'm proud of you" messages really make my day. Little do you know, I often screenshot those and save them for days when I am struggling to believe in myself. I know no matter what I have your support and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Thank you for being 100 percent honest with me 100 percent of the time. I know I can always come to you with something and you will give me your complete and honest opinion. Whether that is if my outfit looks bad, my makeup is off, or my hair looks like a mess, I know you will tell me. If I need you to proofread an assignment, I know you won't hold back. Oh! And that boy I am interested in, yeah, you see right through him and you have no issue in telling me that. And even if I decided not to listen to you (which we both know happens a lot), and that boy ended up hurting me, thank you for never saying, "I told you so," or, "it's your own fault." Your honesty, no matter how brutal, helped to make me who I am today. I know I can always count on you to be honest with me.

Thank you for being my best friend. I know a lot of brother-sister relationships are not always as close as ours, and how close we are is something I will forever treasure. You're my Cedar Point buddy, my spider-killer at 3 a.m., and sometimes even my therapist. But most importantly you are my best friend. I know I can always turn to you for help or advice no matter what. I can always count on you for a shoulder to cry on, a hug, or laughs.

The list of thank yous could go on and on. So just for a few more... Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught me. Thank you for always protecting me, and also for letting me fall, but always being there to pick me up. You are the best big brother, and I am so blessed to be your little sister. Thank you for setting a strong example for me to follow, and for rarely letting me down. But most importantly, thank you for being you. I wouldn't want anyone else to be my big brother.

With much love and gratefulness,

Your baby sister