To the one person who inspires me to be better every day, here's to you.
Here's a funny story: The day you were born, I was jealous of you. I was jealous of how much love you were getting from everyone else. You see, when I was 5 years old, I thought the whole world revolved around me, overalls, and bedazzled hats. (Looking back at that moment, I couldn't have been happier to have been so wrong.)
You're in your teens now, a couple of inches taller than me, and wiser than I ever was at 14. So before you grow up even faster, here it goes: a letter to my not so little brother.
Dear you,
I'm so grateful to have a younger brother who is not only caring, but kind-hearted. You are so open-minded and motivated and you unknowingly teach me how to be all of those things every single day. You're the only person who keeps my secrets from Mom and Dad, and the only person who will never let me forget that you know them all. Likewise, you're the only person who will beg me to drive you around at 4 a.m. to go get milkshakes and fries, and I have to admit, those are truly some of my favorite moments.
You love to cook and volunteer, and you have such a bright future ahead of you. You care so much about others and are so honest. It's truly admirable. You're the only one who listens to my stories (or at least is really good at pretending to listen to them) and the only one who will tell me how lame my story really is. I don't know how you know, but you always know when a circumstance isn't right for me and when an opportunity is a risk I need to take.
As for my friends, they all love you because, I mean, why wouldn't they? You're their little brother also. They think you're funny, charismatic, and intelligent, and they couldn't be more right. They're very lucky to know you.
I love making fun of you (hey, it's my job as an older sister to do so), but if someone else even thinks about picking on you, I won't be a good mood. Remember, that's only my job and no one else is allowed to bother you.
From seeing you every single day back home to only seeing you once every 2-3 months now, it's hard. It's hard because I miss you lil' bro. I miss making fun of you, asking you about your day, driving you to practice, blaming each other for something the other person did, and confiding in you.
No matter what happens though, I want you to know that you're my favorite little person in the entire world. You have such big dreams; I know you will be able to achieve anything you set your mind to.
From the brother who pulled my hair when I was five, to the brother who now gives me the best advice: You deserve the world and more.
Keep doing you, man; you're a rock star!
Lots of love,
Your big sister
