Dearest baby brother of mine,

You're weird. That's all.

Kidding. Well, you are pretty strange, but that's not actually the point of this.

Let's start over...

(*Clears throat, cracks knuckles, rolls neck, etc.*)

Younger brother of mine,

It's been a very interesting experience watching you grow up. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. One day we were just kids watching mindless cartoons or playing out on the trampoline, and the next I'm in college and you're somehow nearly at the end of your senior year of high school.

I've watched you grow from the determined, chunky kid spending all his time either playing any kind of sport outside or with his face glued to the TV screen while he played those obnoxious video games to the successful athlete and person you are now (you still play those video games, though; maybe you're good at that, too, I don't know).

From the kid who knew random facts about even more random topics to the almost-high-school-graduate who can list off facts and dates about nearly every time period in history, especially sports history. From the kid who always loved playing with all the other kids and helping other people to the young man set to follow in our mom's and grandma's footsteps and become a teacher, going the extra mile just to make that little bit of difference for those kids in the classes you student-teach in.

Since you'll be closing one chapter and opening the next in just a few more months, I'll give you some good ol' sisterly advice for the next stages in life. Because the only thing better than learning from your own mistakes is watching your siblings stumble along and show you exactly what not to do.

First: Try not to be too concerned with keeping ties with your high school friends. Yes, it's nice to have people back home to talk to and hang out with when you're there, but if a friendship or relationship becomes too time-consuming or puts a strain on you in any way, it probably isn't worth it. You can be grateful for the time you spent with them and for all of the memories they gave you, but in the end, you want to focus on yourself and your future and whatever it is that will get you to where you want to go in life. Growing apart is normal, it's common, and it's OK.

Second: Don't mess around your first year at college. Stay focused on your schoolwork and get things done on time and done right the first time because screwing up your GPA right away is basically scholastic suicide. Don't worry about making friends or going to the coolest party or fitting in with the group you think you need to be a part of. All of that comes with time. If you need help or a tutor, don't be ashamed to ask for it. There's nothing wrong with needing something explained in a different way. (And professors have office hours for a reason.)

Third: Whether or not you end up playing a sport at college, you need to take care of yourself. Start training yourself to eat healthier and although you get plenty of exercise now, you might not later, and it sneaks up on you fast. We all love Taco Bell, but it's kind of evil. The dreaded Freshman Fifteen is real and very much present for some, but no one really warns you of the comfort that comes with sophomore year.

Fourth: Life is all about choices, and you'll make time for what you care about most, so if that means you try out 50 different clubs or organizations before you find one that you really want to put the effort into, then that's that. But you'll know when you find something that you'll be proud to say you're a part of. And if that means that you have to give up on something else that you really enjoy but will always come second or even last behind something you love, then don't be afraid to let it go.

Fifth: Most importantly, stay true to yourself. There're a lot of influences out there, good and bad, but don't let anything or anyone make you into something you dislike. Listen to your intuition when it tells you something; if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. You're an amazing person, and because you're still young, you're still incredibly impressionable. Stand up for yourself and what you believe and want, and don't let anyone treat you like you're worth less than you are.

Sixth: With that being said, you're the little fish in a big sea again. Don't make enemies or get in fights or anything stupid. Stand up for yourself, but be smart about it.

Seventh: Failing at something isn't the end of the world. You'll make mistakes, and lots of them, so don't beat yourself up over something you can't change. If you can change it, fix it. If you can't, move on. Don't dwell on the past. Work harder next time and just remember that whatever is meant to be will be. “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” - Denis Waitley

That's about all I've got for you right now, but you know I won't hesitate to hound you with more super helpful tips later.

Basically, I'm proud of you and I'm happy that you're heading in a bright direction. You'll do some pretty cool things once you're out in the world.

And when it comes to little brothers, I guess I could have been stuck with someone a bit worse.

I love you very much, little brother.

Sincerely,

The absolute best sister in the entire world.