" God smiles on my little brother, inside and out he's better than I am." - Taylor Swift

I'll never forget the day that you were born. It was almost as if you were brought into this world to be my baby brother. Even if you weren't the sister who I was hoping to share all of my clothes and doll houses with, there is absolutely nothing that I would change.

I was used to receiving everyone's attention for the first four years of my life, so learning to share the spotlight with you was hard at first. Then, after realizing how much cooler than me you actually were, I learned to accept it.

You were the first boy to steal my heart and I truly mean that. It happened when I got to talk to you in mom's big, pregnant belly. I loved you with all of my heart and then some even before I got to meet you.

You aren't a baby anymore. You have more armpit hair than a lot of guys my age, your voice is deep, you have manly, defined muscles, you're going on dates, and you're way taller than I am. Which, by the way, is so weird for me to come home from college and see. Yet, at the same time, it's pretty cool because I've gotten to watch you grow up in a different way than how parents get to. I've gotten to watch you grow as a brother and, more importantly, as a friend.

I cannot explain how blessed I am to have always had such a strong, loving relationship with you over the years. Most siblings talk about how much they hate one another and while we may have had our fair share of slamming doors and forbidding the other to cross the hallway into our rooms, we've always been so close.

When I would go on vacations or stay at a friend's house, you were the person who I missed. Now that I am away at school, it's the same ordeal. Each time when I come home, I look forward to you running down the steps and giving me a huge hug as soon as I walk in the door. Plus, it's nice having your own little minion to bring all of your bags in for you.

As you're growing up, though, I wish there was some way that I could stop it from happening. I know that you'll have your fair share of disappointments and heartache. Please know that you can always come to me with any and everything. No matter what, I will always love you infinitely.

I couldn't possibly be any prouder of the person who you are. Your heart, the selfless way that you treat others, your determination, your thoughtfulness, and the way that you never change for others inspires me every day. I can't wait to see all that you accomplish in your life.

Thank you for always making me laugh, no matter what. Thank you for having my back every time when I got grounded. Thank you for always telling me how much better I deserve whenever I got my heart broken. Thank you for letting me lay in your bed for hours while you play video games so that I can just talk to you. Most importantly, thank you for always getting the toilet paper for me when there isn't any.

I'm just kidding. Thank you for being my best friend.

I love you more than words can say.

Just remember, no matter how old you get, you'll always be my baby brother (and I still have those pictures of you dressing up as a girl when you were little, just in case you ever think that you're too old for me).