Dear Little Brother,

I miss you. I miss fighting with you for the remote, or arguing over who gets the last cookie. I miss your goofy jokes and your sass. I miss your early morning bad mood in getting ready for school. I miss my person to share inside jokes with, to complain about life with, to laugh about stupid videos with.

You may not realize it, but you have grown so much. While I may not be there every day now, I keep an eye on you as much as possible. I hear about your every accomplishment, whether it be scoring at a basketball game or even getting an A on a test. I hear when you’re in bad moods, or when you do something that makes everyone laugh. I’m there on your bad days, your good days, your stressful days, and your days where things feel like they are finally falling into place.

College is weird. There’s no younger voice to wake me up in the morning or someone to tell on me if I watch Netflix too late into the night. There’s no one to bicker with, rant to, or just cry to. Yes, I have my friends, but sometimes you’re the friend I need. Now, technology is great and all (I mean, what better way to celebrate your birthday than with endless blackmail of Snapchats), but it doesn’t replace you physically being here.

So, when I get back, I need you to do me a favor. Annoy me all you want, bug me relentlessly, ask me to take you places, and share all the stupid jokes you can with me. I may not be happy in the moment, but I promise you that it will make me so happy later. When I can’t find motivation to get to class in the morning, I’ll think about you yelling to wake me up. When I can’t find the remote in my dorm room, I’ll think back to our pointless arguments and laugh a little, because why not. Most importantly, when I just need something to get me through the day and make my day a little brighter, I’ll think about your dorky laugh and goofy grin, and the fact that I’ll get to see you soon.

I miss you so much, and I love you. Stay weird.

Love,

A college-aged older sister