Dear Collin,

You going to college would have been the best news ever if it was a year ago, but now things are different, we are different and life is different. In less than five measly days, your room will be a vacant entity, one in which we used to play with our Legos and ride off into the sunset on our toy rocking horses. The bathroom we share will have one less toothbrush and a lot less mess. When school starts up, our car rides filled with friendly silence will now be filled with a cold emptiness. At the same time of this vacant hole, it will remind me of the great opportunity you are receiving.

Undoubtedly you got into college, but not just any old college. You got into one that will challenge you and at the same time, be your new home of multitudinous opportunities. I hope that Roanoke will be the place where you not only find a home, but find yourself as well. At the same time, I want you to be lost so much so you are clinging on to the straw of insanity trying to find out who you want to be, because if you never get lost you can't find something great. That's all I want for you, to find that great; whether it be a person or a job or even who you might become. Though whatever your great will be, I know that you will earn it and never ask for it on a silver plate.

I never gave much thought to college or you leaving because it seemed like this distant land. Though now, as I see your newly bought comforter, sheets, and towels, this distant land is becoming the near future. As you leave, I can't help but reflect on how in this past year we have grown closer. When we were little, we were an inseparable team, with only 16 months between us, I never was as close to anybody else when I was little as I was you. I always waddled in your footsteps and dreamed of being just like you. Things changed, but now it has cycled back and now I walk in your footsteps and dream of following my dreams just as you are yours. Your dream of a higher education and a better future for yourself and for others you hope to impact.

So, if it comes down to that day when we drop you off and I have nothing to say in fear I might slip a few tears, I want you to know this. Even though at times it seems we hate each other, loathe or even depose the mere existence of each other's presence, I will never stop loving you.

You are my big brother and will always be just that. I respect you, wish you well and will miss the hell out of you, but most of all I will love you even more for following the path to your future.

Love always,

Your Annoying Little Sister