Dear big brother,
When I told you I had suspicions that Santa wasn't real, you convinced me he had woken you up sneaking in through your window the year before because he had eaten too many cookies to fit through our chimney that Christmas. When I started high school, you helped me re-work my schedule and harass the guidance counselors until I was able to get all the good teachers. When you headed off to college, you passed along all the tips and tricks you had collected throughout the years on how to get things past mom and dad. And when I came to college, you never hesitated to come to my rescue no matter what time it was or what you had going on. You've always been there for me and I couldn't have asked for a better big brother.
When I watched you walk across that stage to shake the President of our university's hand and receive that hard-earned diploma, I experienced the biggest whirlwind of emotions I think I've ever felt. I am so proud of you. Four years is eight finals weeks, 120 hours of coursework, about a million hours spent studying and you've done it. You've survived K-tower, the UK snow-pocalypse of 2016 and four years of Lexington rush hour traffic. And at the end of it all you got to put on that gown and cap (and that Cum Laude chord had you remembered to get one) and move your tassel from left to right.
I admire your hard work, determination and patience; I want to be just like you. As I look towards my next two years here, I'm baffled at how I'm expected to take it on alone. You've done so much for me here that no part of me wants you to leave, but I know you need too. I'm so excited for you to get to travel and explore and find yourself as you begin building your life and your career. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your new city and all the mischief you get yourself into. I'm ecstatic you've graduated but I'm heartbroken that now you'll be more than a five minute drive away from me.
Don't forget to call, text and FaceTime - but most importantly, don't forget to come back. I'll be here for two more years and I could always use a big brother around. Whether it be for the weekend or for grad school, you'll always have a place to crash and sister to lean on here in Lexington. Good luck but more importantly, thank you. Thank you for the countless rides, for always being down for some good music and Chipotle, for the hugs when I'm falling apart and for always knowing what to say. I'm so fortunate I have a brother who makes saying goodbye, even for a little while, so hard. I cannot wait to see what you accomplish and if you ever need your sister, I'll only be a phone call away.
I love you so much,
Your baby sister
