To My Protective Big Brother,

You, my big brother, have always been my first and forever friend. From the beginning, I constantly wanted to be spending time with you whenever possible. I followed your every move from how you built a city of sky scraper via vibrant tinker toys in the basement, to how you rode your bright yellow two-wheeler to the neighbors down the street. There was no one else in the world I looked up to more than you. We were partners in crime.

The first time we were in the same school, I was in kindergarten and you were in second grade. I remember hopping on the bus on my first day of school thinking, "I'm just like Nick." When I saw you in the hallway, it was always impossible to contain my excitement while I made sure everyone in my class knew that you were my big brother. I was proud to say I knew a big-kid-second grader, never mind the fact that you were my very own brother. While remaining the "ever so cool" second grader you were, you always made sure I was having a good day before moving on with your own.

I did not realize it then, but this was only the beginning of you looking out for me.

Having a protective big brother has been an experience in itself.

My days of high school continuously consisted of people saying, "Oh that's your brother?", followed by intimidation of the 6 foot tall football player who shared the same last name as me. Even having your best friends in my every day life was like having another 4 big brothers watching my every move.

No matter where I turned, you were always there. You still are.

I am never able to even speak to a boy without you questioning his every move and making sure he is nothing but perfect to me.

A tear never falls without you wiping it away.

When I make a bad decision, you always there to tell me but also help me fix it.

When I achieve a goal, you are always my biggest supporter.

While became frustrated from time to time of you scaring off boys and telling me you are always right, I would not want it any other way. (Especially because you usually prove me wrong.) (Even if I never admit it.)

I have lived a life thus far of feeling protected. I always know that if I need someone, you are only a call away.

The day you left me for college, I was a mess. I locked myself in my room and sulked. We had just left you with strangers, soon becoming an additional new set of big brothers to me. However, at the time I did not know how to move on. I could not even fathom going to school without arguing in the morning about our departure time or a day without you teasing to throw any of my guy friends in a locker. How was I supposed to go on without seeing the same person, my best friend, everyday since I was born?

I managed to navigate my way through the rest of high school without having you by my side, but having you just a call away. Once I left for college, we were even further away, bringing us even closer over time.

While our lives have changed as days go by, our relationship never has. I still am just as proud to call you my big brother as I was seeing you in the hallways of our elementary school.

I do not say it as often as I should, so thank you.

Thank you for fighting off any one that has hurt me.

Thank you for laughing with me when I want to cry.

Thank you for telling me when I am making a stupid decision (even when I get mad at you for doing so).

Thank you for supporting me when I feel like no one else will.

Thank you for being the best protective big brother I could ask for.

You definitely have always had a lot on your hands with having to take care of me and Kylie. But, Nick-I sure am glad you did.

Love you always,

A Thankful Little Sister