My Military Brother,

From the beginning, I saw your dreams come true, the moment you raised your right hand and said the oath that would officially induct you into the greatest military this world has ever seen. You went from being the idiot that would get into all kinds of trouble with me, the video game partner, and jerk that would scare the boys away, to the man that's serving our country. My hero.

The months you were gone for Basic Training were the hardest. Even more so when we dropped you off for your first day and said our goodbyes for six long months. You knew I was going to cry, but I didn't want to make you sad because you were finally going off to achieve your dreams and I was so happy for you! I knew after that day that there were going to be more goodbyes and important times you might miss, but it's all worth it knowing you'd be happy. I talk to my friends about you all the time and tell them all about what you do and what you've done over the years. To you it might not seem like much, but the sacrifices you make say otherwise.

I know deployments will be, and are often times, much longer than basic training but I can't thank God enough for technology. If it wasn't for technology, you know you'd be bombarded with letters. Even when you were in basic training you were bombarded with letters, so you can bet your life on that it'll be the same for when you go on big-boy trips. Even though FaceTime, Skype, texting or brief phone calls to check in might not seem like enough, but getting them from you makes my whole day. Whether it's movie night consisting of laughter, pizza rolls and a beer over FaceTime or just talking while I'm doing homework, I'd drop everything to do just that because I know how busy you can be. I take all the time I can get, but cherish every second. Don't even get me started on surprise homecomings. You know you did good when you knock and I can open the door, being completely blindsided and disbelieving that you're there, practically tackle you and cry tears of joy because you get to see how much we love and miss you every day. Even as I write this, my eyes well up thinking about how my heart practically jumps into my throat the last time you came home to surprise the family, and even when I first saw you after you graduated basic training. Remembering the goodbyes is hard too, but I know the homecomings will be even better.

When it comes to potential romantic interests, you're usually the first thing that comes up when the guy asks about my family and what everyone does. For me, it always starts with you because you've told me time and time again not to settle for anything less than the best. Also that the guy has to meet you while you clean your gun, so he'll know how much you protect me even when you're far away. You want only the best for me, so you expect the best from any guy I date too.

Either way, I hope you'll always know how proud I am to be your sister and our family is just as proud as I am. We love you more than anything in the world and it fills us, especially me, with great joy to see you pursue what you've dreamed of since you could remember. You're a strong, confident, creative, intelligent, stubborn and strong willed man with a twisted sense of humor; which is a guaranteed recipe for success. Times will get tough, but always know that we will always be watching your six.

With Much Love,

Your MilSib