To the second guy who stole my heart after Dad did first: My brother.

I always wonder how you truly felt the day Mom and Dad first told you that you were going to be a "big brother." I mean, having a baby sister enter your life at the age of five or six probably wasn't something you exactly...wanted back then. Regardless of how you felt, little did I know that you would become one of the best blessings to ever walk the Earth in my life.

I remember when you were a teenager, and I was just the lonely kid who followed behind; I took your hand-me-down clothes to dress like you, rode my bike everywhere in town to be "cool" like you, and even listened to the same music as you so I could sing like you.

You always let me hang out with you and your "big kid" friends, playing stupid and dangerous games outside that would make great memories.

You always let me play video games with you, ones like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater or NCAA Basketball on the original Playstation (where you would kick my butt ever single game unless my players miraculously started hitting three pointers every shot).

You almost took the blame for whenever I broke the screen door on the back side of our house.

You were a goalkeeper in soccer, so I became a goalkeeper in soccer.

You were even kind enough to accidentally smash my finger in a recliner when we were little. Thank you for the gift of leaving a scar on my finger from the stitches I got in the hospital.

You took me to my first UK (University of Kentucky) Basketball game at Rupp Arena...and you let me scream my head off cheering for the Cats.

You came to watch me march in the band in college.

You introduced me to the restaurant with the best chicken fingers to ever exist, Raisin' Canes.

You convinced me to start watching How I Met Your Mother, a program streamed on Netflix at the time that became one of my favorite television shows.

You dunked on me in basketball way more times than I can ever remember....both in NBA video games and in real life.

Although we bickered and argued sometimes, I wanted everything to do with you because back then, because I looked up to you and still look up to you now.

Now, it feels like you live so far away...372 miles to be exact. We don't get to see each other as often as we once did, so you coming home unexpectedly or during the holidays is one of the best things to ring throughout Mom, Dad, and I's ears. However, no matter how far away we are physically, I know that you will always be there for me emotionally and mentally. Having a close relationship with you was something that I never took my eyes off of, and I know I don't say this enough but, I am so proud of you.

You have found a new hobby and interest with technology and computers, and I am so amazed because you know things within technology that seems like some kind of unknown language to me. You are so talented in this field that you have not only been able to build computers for yourself, family, and friends by the work of your own brains and hands, but you've also been able to spark an interest in technology in others too...and when you can make other people want to care about something they didn't give the time of day to before, that's when you know you are going to change lives. Honestly, I've never seen you more excited than the times you've spent helping Mom and Dad build their own desktop setup at home. Please listen to me:

You have a talent.

You have passion.

You have passion for your talent.

Take advantage of every opportunity given to you to make something out of yourself in this world because nobody else is going to do it for you. Even when the going gets tough and you don't see a way out, keep pushing through. Every thing that has ever been achieved has been earned by someone somewhere. I challenge you to be that next someone who achieves the success they know they aspire to reach in their mind because I believe that you have that kind of special desire in your heart.

No matter where life takes you, always remember that four people will always love you: Mom, Dad, me and Jesus. You know that we love you from the bottom of their hearts and would absolutely do anything for you, but what if I told you that Jesus loves and cares for you an infinite number of times more than they ever will?...and the thing is, I think the most amazing aspect about that is if your heart and mind can't fathom what I just wrote to you there - if you can't imagine someone loving you more than the two people who have raised you for 26 years and another who has been by your side through it all for 21 years - then you have felt how vast and pure Jesus' love is for YOU. No matter what you've done, what you've thought, where you've been, or who you are, Jesus loves you individually every single moment of your life whether you chose to love Him back in that very moment or not. No matter how many mistakes you make in your life, Jesus will always be there to pick up the pieces and wipe your tears.

When you feel unloved or lonely, remember:

“But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved."
-
Ephesians 2:4-5

When you feel weak, remember:

“Be courageous, do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Joshua 1:9

When you don't know where to turn, remember:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

and

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11