I cannot believe that this time in life has come. My baby brother is not only taller than me, but he is going off into the world to start a new chapter in life: college. You are going to love it. I know that you are excited to get there and be independent, but don't forget to relish this last week of school. Graduation comes and goes so quickly.
You are going to want to sleep in on the morning of graduation. I know you. Just know that when you do wake up, Mom is going to be really emotional. Because I tried to be your mom when you were growing up, naturally, I will be just as emotional. And you are just going to have to let us. If it gets really bad, you know where we keep the chocolate.
You are going to hate all the pictures being taken, and I am sure you will want to wear Chubbies underneath your gown, but please, for Mom's sanity, stick with black dress pants. You will get to the church and the excitement will be electric. You will look around and see the people that you have gone to school with for years, but suddenly everyone will seem a little bit older. You will have the strangest feeling, like you are about to cry and laugh at the same time. Then, they will tell you to line up in alphabetical order. Your last name starts with a T, so you will be near the back, which is a good thing, because you have time to make sure you don't trip down the aisle.
You will sit next to all the other kids with T last names. Even if you weren't friends with them, you will experience the last moments of high school with them. If that's not a bonding experience, I don't know what is. When they call your name, our family will stand and cheer like you have never heard anyone cheer before. Because we are proud of you, gosh darn it. You are the best brother I could have ever asked for. You drive me crazy most of the time, and I swear, no one can get me angry as quickly as you can, but no one can cheer me up as quickly. No one else can make me laugh when we are walking around a theme park soaking from the rain. No one else gives me such a great example of how to be brave, daring, and spontaneous. You are the only person in the world I would embarrass by calling you "Babyboo" over our school intercom. Thanks for being way cooler than I am. It just wouldn't be a holiday without you pulling out some terrible picture of me from my incredibly awkward childhood.
So, graduation is coming soon. Take it all in. Appreciate all the people that have been there for you along the way. Give your classmates a hug. Say thank you to your favorite teachers. Don't let the idea of college overshadow this day of celebration. It is a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. I love you, Babyboo, and I am so proud to be your older sister.
