If you're lucky enough to have an older brother like I do, you'll understand how having an older brother can be the best thing in the world, but the biggest struggle too.

He’ll act like you're the pain in his ass, but really he’s yours. You do countless things to make each other mad - intentional or not. But no matter what, he’s the favorite guy in your life - or at least he should be. It’s easy to take him for granted. I know I definitely did in high school until he went away to college. Then I realized just how much he did for me and just how nice it was to have him around. So as if I didn’t make his life hard enough in high school, I followed him to college, and now I have one year left with him at Villanova before he graduates. I plan on taking none of that for granted. Because I know I haven’t told him lately, here is a thank you letter to my big brother - one that I’m sure any one else with a big brother can relate to as well.

Dear Big Brother,

Thank you for teaching me at a young age that I’m not the only one that matters. You've always given me the reality check I needed. Whether its been to share the tv remote with the whole family or in high school when I would act a little self-absorbed, you've always told me to get my head straight and think about the bigger picture.

Thank you for always making me feel like I matter though, too. On days when you could just tell something was wrong, you knew how to pick me up - even if it was just by teasing me to make me laugh. On that same note, thank you for always defending me. You did it when I was six, and you still do it now. If someone hurts me or even says something remotely hurtful, I know you’ll be there to defend me in a second.

And while I’m thanking you, I should probably apologize for everything I put you through during high school. Or for just being your little sister in general. I’m sure it’s got to be pretty annoying having your friends tease you about me day in and day out. And I know I didn’t make that any easier on you by following you to Villanova. So for that I’m sorry.

But thank you again for being the guy that you are. It is hard living up to the expectations that mom and dad have because you set them, but I also don’t mind because that means I have a really amazing older brother to be proud of and to look up to. You’ve been that role model and that guy I’ve looked up to since I was little. And because we’ve grown up together and I’ve seen you grow too, I know that you are the type of guy I would want another brother, son, boyfriend, or best friend to be.

And what I might love most about being your sister is that I know it always has been and always will be you and me against the world. We have secrets mom and dad can never know about. We've covered for each other countless times and bit our tongues when we wanted to say something. There's a trust we have that's different than with anyone else. I value your opinion and advice more than you'll ever know, which is why I always take it so hard when we fight. Remember that next time you yell at me. As your little sis, all I've ever wanted is to be accepted by you.

So basically, thanks for being you. Thanks for being the older brother I never thought I wanted. I guess it's okay I didn't get a sister after all.

Love you, idiot!

19 years down, a million more to go!