I still remember the day you were born as if it were yesterday — the missing piece to our three-part puzzle.
My big sister Monica and I were off with our aunt and uncle until the moment we all received a phone call notifying us that we had a new addition to our family. My little brother, Kyle, was born, and all I could remember was the pride that I felt due to having a title in my name. No longer was I a little brother to my sister, but I was also an older brother now.
I remember holding you in my arms — you looked like a little pea. You were so tiny and cute, but for some reason I just couldn't get the hang of holding you correctly so I had to turn you back over to Mom and Dad. Although it was a short time I held you in my arms, we made eye contact. While looking at each other, I knew I did not only have a younger sibling, but a new lifelong friend.
Our birthdays are only 10 days apart, but separated by four years. You would think that the gap may keep us apart, but it only strengthens the bond that we have. I remember the Halloweens when you would dress up like Pikachu when I thought I was a super cool pirate that set sail with Jack Sparrow. I remember the moments when we would gather all of our beanie babies and have them go on a mystical adventure that involved dungeons and battles in order to save the planet, I remember the late nights we would stay up waiting for Santa Claus until we both fell asleep gently on each others shoulders. All these memories remind me of how quick you have grown up. It seems like just yesterday you were only four feet tall and asking me on how to pronounce a word, but nowadays you are over six feet tall, and I ask you for tips on how to play basketball against my friends.
Do you remember those nights we would compete against each other to see who was the superior video game player in "Super Smash Bros. Melee" or those times when we begged Mom to let us make our own pizzas and have a little party for ourselves which included watching one Disney movie and chowing down on a bucket of popcorn and Air Heads candy? I can't believe that we have grown out of the days when we would hold our stuffed animals close to our hearts while looking out into the sky when we shared a room together. Those countless nights when we couldn't sleep before school started and when would would dread getting up in the morning, only to hear Dad shout out our names in order to wake us up for the new day.
As time goes on, you continue to get older and mold into your own person. No longer are you trying to learn the alphabet or how to pronounce your "Rs" correctly, but you are learning how to solve equations and learn who you are in this big old world. I'll always see you as your 7 year-old self, the version of you that was ingrained in my head when we were younger. Even though you are taller than me now, I will always see you as my shorter partner in crime. I am always in awe of how handsome you have become and how intelligent you are. You carry yourself with confidence, and I couldn't be more proud. When I watch you play basketball in the alley, I just think to myself at how I can't wait to see you play in the big leagues. You never let anything stand in your way and tear down every obstacle life throws at you.
Sure there may be days when we fight and complain, but my heart grows for you more and more each day. Whether you need advice on how to apply for a job, how to talk to a girl or even how to get through school, I will always be here for you. You mean the world to me, and I am so lucky to have you in my life. Sure, a sister is cool for certain things, but having you as a brother is like having a lifelong best friend by your side at all times.
