To the older sibling who guided my path:
We fight, we argue, and we roll our eyes. We annoy each other just for the fun of it. It’s our specialty. It’s what we do. Despite our senseless bickering and crappy insults, we love each other. You are not just my older sibling; you are my mentor, my guide, and my friend. Without you, I would not be the person I am today, and I thank you for that.
Thank you for making mistakes. Through your errors, I learned that nobody is perfect. We all have our faults, and we learn from them. Watching you grow from your mistakes is an honor and a privilege because it is a true testament to the warrior you are. You face adversity with a cool confidence that I can’t help but admire. You taught me that my flaws shape me into who I am, and I will forever be grateful for that.
Thank you for the encouragement to be myself. Growing up, I wanted to be just like you. I wanted the same success and experiences. You taught me not to be afraid of leaving my comfort zone. Pushing the limits to discover is an essential aspect of life. It allows one to venture the world and explore new boundaries. Your sense of adventure is one that fuels my own. You have never once pressured me into do something I do not wish to do. Instead, you encourage me to live life in accordance to my own terms and to find happiness in wherever I go or in whatever I do. You see the beauty within me that I do not always see, and you encourage me to be my unique self everyday. Sometimes, your praise seems to go unnoticed, but I am always, always thankful.
Lastly, thank you for being my friend. I know growing up with me wasn’t always easy. There were probably times where you just wanted to ring my neck or leave me on the doorstep of some other family, but hey, you’re still stuck with me. Our relationship goes past being “just siblings.” You’re my best friend. You are there whenever I need to talk, laugh, or rant. You get my sense of humor, and you don’t judge me for my decisions. I can go to you whenever I want for whatever I need, and you always have the right answer and the most helpful advice.
Now that I’m in college and you’re out in the real world, we don’t get to see each other as often. The frequency of seeing each other everyday has now become sparse. Despite this, our relationship stays strong. We have a bond that can’t be shaken regardless of the stupid decisions we make along the way. Just as you encourage me, I hope to encourage you. You may be working, but you are still learning. Have fun, don’t get too stressed, laugh a lot, and remember that I am always here if you need me. Once again, I thank you for your encouragement, advice, your love, and for just simply being you.
With love,
Your annoying younger sibling
