To the girl who will marry my little brother,

Let me start off by saying that this isn’t one of those letters where I try to be the super intimidating, over-protective older sister so that no girl will think she's good enough for my little brother. That’s not the goal here. In fact, that’s the exact opposite of my goal. I want you to know that I’ve been praying for you longer than you probably realize. I’ve asked God over and over to bring you into my brother’s life at just the right time, and I’ve asked that you would be the Lord’s absolute best for my little brother. I’m fully confident that He is going to answer that prayer, which makes me even more excited to meet you.

You see, my little brother has been my best friend since the day he was born. What started as bunk bed forts and driveway tennis tournaments turned into many nights spent talking in our kitchen and eating ice cream until 1 a.m. By the way, during a lot of those talks, we’d end up talking about you. He would tell me that he thinks about you (a lot), that he’s so excited to meet you and that he’s constantly praying for you.

It’s because of talks like those, that next to my parents, I know my little brother better than anyone. I know that a quick sarcastic comment will be sure to make him laugh. I know that he could talk about basketball for hours without stopping and somehow still manage to keep breathing. I know that he paces when he thinks (AKA talks to himself), and I know that he will only talk about something that’s bothering him when he’s ready.

I’m sure the more time you spend with him, you’ll learn all of these things and so many more. You’ll become his closest confidant, his biggest cheerleader and his best friend. I just want you to know that with each of those titles comes a big responsibility.

You’re going to be the one he wants to talk to when he has a rough day. Be patient with him, and hear him out.

You’re going to be the one who gets frustrated when he works late or gets distracted. Be understanding, and show him some grace.

You’re going to be the one he will want by his side when he accomplishes something big. Be proud of him and tell him how great he is, even though you and I both know his ego doesn’t need it.

Finally, I ask that you choose to love him every single day, no matter how easy or difficult that may be. When it comes to the people close to him, my little brother is one of the most loving and loyal people you’ll ever meet, and I have no doubt he will adore you and be faithful to you for the rest of his life. He would do anything and sacrifice everything for you, and it’s my expectation that you would do the same for him.

All in all, I just want you to know that you are one lucky girl. Actually, you’re more blessed than lucky, because I don’t think there was any luck involved when the Lord allowed you to cross paths with my little brother. I believe that God is extremely intentional, so I have no doubt that He has a very specific purpose in bringing you two together. It’s my hope that the two of you compliment each other perfectly, that your strengths fill in the gaps of his weaknesses, and vice versa. I pray that both of you do your very best to show each other love, grace, patience and kindness every day, and that you consistently point each other back to Jesus.

More than anything, I hope you know that I am so excited to meet you. You are the answer to so many prayers that I have prayed, that my parents have prayed and most importantly, that my little brother has prayed. I have no doubt that as you stand at the alter one day to say your vows, my eyes will be filled with tears of joy as I see the gift God is giving my brother in you. I’m confident that you will be a wonderful blessing in my little brother’s life and that he will be an amazing blessing to your life as well.

I’m praying for you, sweet girl!

Sincerely,

Your future sister-in-law