Dear Not-So-Little-Brother;

Wow. You’re graduating. I didn’t think I would ever see the day. You're taking your own break in the world, and it's time for you to spread your wings and find out what life is REALLY like. You used to be the little kid with the super tan skin that I swore wasn't my actual brother (because we totally didn't look alike) but now you're going to be getting your diploma and moving away to college next year. You're starting your own life. It's going to be hard, and you're going to be unprepared, but you’ll make it. I know you will because you're the smartest person I know.

College is going to be hard. Accept that right off the bat and expect the unexpected. My entire life has changed since I began college, in fact, I’m at a university I didn’t even plan on attending. College is a crazy, horrible ride that is the best one you will ever get on. You’ll be broke, and you’ll figure out how to make something cheap priceless. You’ll be sleepless, but you’ll figure out how to function. You’ll be frustrated, but you’ll be proud of yourself when you complete it. You’ll be given huge opportunities out of the blue, take them. You’ll be given options, don’t play it safe because college is the time to test your limits and see your worth. Don’t lay in bed and sleep your life away, college only happens once (and sleepless nights make the best memories.) Don’t be stupid and let other people take your opportunities away from you. Be who you are meant to be, not who others tell you to be. Exceed expectations, and choose your own fate.

As you move on and create your own life, there are a couple things I want you to know. I always say you were born to be my best friend, and we both know that's 110% true. When we were younger, I understood your speech impediment when others didn’t and helped you communicate with our parents, which is where our bond started. Even though you were spoiled and I wished I was the little sibling so I would be babied, I’m glad that I got to be your role model. Sometimes I say I felt like your third parent, because when things would go wrong, you turned to me. We marched to my drum and I called the shots. When the world got crazy, you had me to look up to and I’m so honored to know that you are who you are partly because I am in your life.

Thank you. Thank you for being annoying. Thank you for every fight, every hit and every argument. Thank you for every make-believe game, every bike ride and every adventure. Thank you for getting help when I wiped out on my bike and couldn't get up. Thank you for falling backward in a chair and breaking the wall with your giant head. Thank you for jumping on the beds in hotels and for fighting in the car on trips. Thank you for every laugh and smile we have shared together. Thank you for making fun of me, for accepting my stupid jokes, for making annoying sounds and laying on the floor. Thank you for driving when I don't want to, watching stupid youtube videos, and coming all the way to college just to fix my tv. Thank you for every last little thing that nobody else would ever do for me. You truly are the best little brother.

You probably don't know this, but there has been plenty of times you saved me... starting with the day you were born. I was bullied growing up and going to school was my own personal hell, but when I came home everything was better because I had you. When nobody else wanted to love me or be my friend, you shared your toys and played games with me. When the world was against me, you were for me. And as we grew older, you were always on my side. When the world crashed down around me last year, you loved me. You watched me hurt and you had my back. Since the day you were born, I have never been alone. You will forever be one of the biggest blessings God ever gave me.

So today on out, I want you to remember that I will never judge you, I will always accept you when nobody else will. I’ll pay your bail so mom and dad will never have to know (memorize my phone number ASAP) and I will still beat you up and I’ll make sure you always know I’m the alpha sibling. I’ll edit your 12 paged paper two hours before its due and I will always tell you the truth no matter how bad you don’t want to hear it.

My promise to you is to always be there for you; I will always be a constant. Other’s may come and go, you’ll have highs and you’ll have lows, you may be winning, you may be losing, you might get hurt, you might get screwed over and your world will be flipped upside down but I… I will always be here. This is my promise to you.

I love you.

Your-Very-Grateful-Big-Sister