Dear little brother,

You're not so little anymore considering you're taller than me. It wasn't always like that, you know. I used to be the tall one, and you would always ask me to reach for things on the top shelves. But those days are long gone.

I'm writing you this letter because even though we aren't that close, I'm still your big sister and I still care about you. Yeah, sure, we barely talk. I'm away at college and you're a senior in high school. We live different lives. But it's the fact that you're a senior in high school that I feel the need to write this. You graduate in 6 months -- HALF A YEAR. That blows my mind. It feels like just yesterday you were playing in the sandbox, wearing your Bob the Builder outfit, and now you're applying to colleges.

Here's some sisterly advice: You don't have to figure out your life plan by tomorrow. Heck you don't have to have it figured out in two years. When I was standing in your shoes two years ago, I never thought I'd end up at the college I did, pursuing the major I currently am working towards. That's something I wish I had realized sooner -- things are constantly changing. You can not expect plans to always turn out exactly how you want. Don't get me wrong, you can't put off making big decisions forever. You will have to pick a college, and eventually a major. But those decisions aren't permanent.

I know I'm not around anymore to really be there for you, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to help you in any way I can. As a big sister, it's my duty to make sure that you don't screw your life up. I need to make sure that you are heading down the right road. And as of now, I think you're heading in the right direction.

I think it's safe to say that we are both on two separate paths when it comes to life. I'm moving on and away from home, and I think you'll end up settling down in the town we were raised. There's nothing wrong with that. This town offers you what you need to live a happy life, and I'm happy about that. Sadly, I think the distance between us will double in the next two years. But that doesn't change the fact that you are my little brother and I love you. I'm always going to have your back.

-- Your big sis