To my smart, funny, handsome, sassy brother, who happens to have Down Syndrome,

Notice how that is listed last? It's because it doesn't begin to define you.

There are going to be people in life who tell you that you cannot do something. Heck, there are people in my life that tell me every day that I cannot do something and I have normal chromosomes. So, this is me telling you that you're not different. No matter what people tell you, you are not weird, strange, or "not normal." Don't be discouraged by the sny comments and strange looks, I get them too. People like to stare at phenomenal things, and that is exactly what you are—phenomenal.

From the moment you were born, people have been trying to fit you into this little mold of what they think you are, and what they think you will and will not be able to do. Guess what? You've never been one to follow the norm. I knew when you were riding a bike (without training wheels!) at age five, just like the "normal" kids, that you would only continue to break the mold, and you did. You broke the mold when you were accepted into a catholic elementary school with mainstream kids. You broke the mold when you made the basketball team, and then scored a three pointer. You break the mold every single day when you refuse to allow the world to get you down, and when you refuse to give up simply because something is difficult for you.

Like any good letter, here comes the list of "thank yous." Thank you for hugging me when I've had a bad day and always reminding me that "it's going to be okay." Thank you for singing very loudly to all of my music. Thank you for having good dance moves, because if you didn't our family would never know how to dance. Thank you for being more excited than anyone when I finally chose where I'm going to college. Most of all, thank you for reminding me about the joy in the little things of life. Your kindness, positivity, and ability to love so deeply at thirteen is inspiring.

The World did get something right...most thirteen year olds are not as loving, kind, or grateful as you. You definitely are something special, and our family wouldn't trade you for the world.

XO,

Your Sister