Every little girl wants a baby sister to play dress up with and to kiss all over like a tiny mother figure. When you arrived I was a little more than disappointed that you weren't a girl, but it didn't take me long to realize you would be all I could've asked for. Those years seem so far behind us, but I thank you for every moment that has past and that is yet to come.
Your freshman year started several weeks ago and if there was one thing I mastered in college, it was procrastination. I've been meaning to write this letter since you moved, but the reality of the cliche is this: I wasn't ready to believe that you were grown up. That was my selfish motive for not writing this, I had forgotten my role in your life, but now I remember my job as your sister isn't finished yet and it never will be. There comes a time when you need to begin doing things on your own, and learning from any lessons that walk your way in a cute high waisted skirt, but understand that I will always be standing back waiting to give you advice if you need it.
Remember several things as you move off to begin a journey that is all your own.
Remember to pay attention to the little things. Those moments that seem so insignificant will be the moments you pray to have again when you're sitting in the stands, waiting for your row to stand to walk across stage. The party stories will come in numbers, and not much changes after you're 21 if that lifestyle is for you, but it's the moments in your bedroom playing Xbox listening to Jullian speak gibberish because he's so exhausted from doing Calculus homework all night. It's the foolish jokes the girl down the hall loves to tell you that you'll be trying to remember, but can't because you forgot to hold on. Tell them to your friends over and over again, write them down, but never forget them. Those are the stories worth telling when you get home for Christmas dinner.
Don't be afraid to dive head first. College can be intimidating, but that doesn't mean you need to dip your toes in before you jump. If that class you're interested in seems far beyond your reach, remember where you came from and remember all you've worked for. Not one of your heroes made it to where they stand today because they said "I can't." Go forward with your head held high and your chest out with shoulders back. Face each day with a mask of bravery if you must because even when you are scared, you will not let the world smell vulnerability. Be overwhelmed, go to bed exhausted because you learned more in this day than you did yesterday, but never be scared. Never be scared because I'm standing right behind you, and I wouldn't be standing here if I didn't believe you could do this.
College does matter, and somehow those that are up and coming have forgotten that. I grew up alongside other kids that also watched their parents struggle from paycheck to paycheck, and so did you. You understand the blood and sweat that goes into a nightly dinner for a family. When school begins to wear you down and you start to reason that you don't need college because our parents made it without that expensive piece of paper, consider how hard they worked. Consider how many days we stayed with a sitter and how many nights we stayed at Grandma's house. I'm not saying you won't have to work hard even with that framed Latin writing, I'm saying the word of the day is opportunity. Those will swing toward you like a pendulum sitting on your desk, keeping you entertained as they bounce back and forth endlessly. Employers will forget where you came from because all they see is the dollar sign of your education. When you begin to doubt your presence in those halls, tough it out because you're not one to give up and believe me when I say you haven't seen struggle yet. The struggle of college will make the struggles of adulthood easier.
Respect women because even the tough ones can be insecure. If she curses in your face like a sailor and tries to beat you when she's drunk because she's angry, hug her. She's not mad at you, she's mad at every other guy that hurt her, used her, abused her. Promise her that you'll never be one of them, even if you're just her friend. Care for her in a way that you would care for her if she was family. Don't be another notch in her bedpost. If you ever have to end your time with someone, have some couth. Treat her like a human being if you ever have to walk away from her, don't leave her broken.
Above any lesson I may teach you, always remember who you are. You are the man that grabs the bull by the horns, you are the air beneath a bird's wings, you are the cement holding your foundation of dreams together. No matter what happens though, you'll always be my baby brother. You are the reason I went to college, I needed to prove to both myself and to you that I could rise above and beyond the expectations, as well as the doubts. It's time you pave your own way and leave your own marks. It's okay, I'll be here if you need me.
