Dear big sister,

I can't believe you're finally graduating college. It seems like just yesterday that I was trailing after you and your friends at sleepovers and annoying you to no end. (I still do the latter). We've been attached at the hip practically since birth. Thank you for being my sister/bodyguard/mother/partner in crime.

My entire life I've looked up to you. I mean, not physically of course, but you know what I mean. I watched you work nearly full time while balancing your school work on top of that for the last 5 years. I never realized how difficult it was until I started trying to do the same thing myself. I think it's safe to say that you did a much better job, and complained a lot less than I have. (Seriously though, those projects sounded awful). I watched all the countless obstacles put in front of you and watched you jump over them with ease.

You have always been so protective over me. Whether it's standing up to someone that was rude to me or freaking out worse than mom and dad did when I asked to take my first trip to the city alone, you have always done the most to show how much you care. Despite how irritated I act when you lecture me, deep down I appreciate it. Moving from place to place with our family taught me to build homes in people rather than places. At an early age, I built my home in you. Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on, my life-lesson giver, and for giving me such a good example to follow.

Next year is going to be tough for the both of us. You'll move out of mom and dad's place to go do your grown up job, and I'll be moving out to go to college 200 miles from you. Knowing I won't be able to cross the hall and lay on your bed, have our homemade lunch dates or ask if my outfit looks okay sounds incredibly bleak. Not to mention our dinner and *N'Sync dates?! This is truly the end of an era.

Congratulations, Moose. Near or far, you'll always be my best friend. I'm so proud of you now and always.

All the love,

Me