Dear Jack Henry,

Thirteen years ago, you came into my world and made me the happiest six-year-old on this side of the Mississippi. You were the cutest, chubbiest baby I had ever seen in my life and you had a full head of curly, brown hair. Your little laugh was so contagious and your smile made everyone at the grocery store stop and stare at you in awe. You have grown into the sweetest little boy and I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me. From the very beginning and for the rest of our lives, you will always be my best friend.

You are a giggle of sunshine who pours song lyrics into my heart, a fierce firefly that makes others glow just as bright, and an avalanche of enthusiasm that leaves a trail of witty humor and sarcastic sayings along the yellow brick road. Some of the things you come up with are so beyond your years and it amazes me how much you are able to comprehend and articulate at your age. Whether you're shooting a basketball or singing a solo, you complete everything in life with determination and a positive attitude.

I love you for who you are but I also love you for what you have done for our family without even knowing it. After Adam passed away, there was a gaping hole in my heart. In mom’s heart. In dad’s heart. Your addition to our family filled us with such joy and appreciation for this second chance. Adam was an irreplaceable blessing and we miss him every day of our lives; The pain of losing him will never go away. But time has a way of healing things. And in the time that passed between you and Adam, I know he must have hand selected you to be the one to heal our hearts. Little did he know just how genuine, confident, and brave you would turn out to be, and how much we needed you in our lives.

I miss you, Jack Henry. You are the best listener and you laugh at most of my bad jokes. It sucks that I'm away at college and I don't get to see you or talk to you as often. But I always appreciate your filtered Snapchats and phone calls about your homework. And when I come home for breaks I promise I will take you to the Brick House for ice cream and play Super Mario Bros. for hours at a time.

Also, can we take a second to talk about the fact that you're almost as tall as me? When I see you next weekend you better not have grown again. That's going to be a problem.

Thank you for being a reminder of what life is all about. I love you so much and I could not be more proud to call you my little brother. Don't ever stop being you because the world needs more Jack Henry's in it. You are our heart healer. You are my heart healer.

Happy 13th birthday JHW,

Your big sister