Dear baby brother,

College is hard, life is hard, but leaving you is even harder. You keep telling me how much you don't want me to leave, and it breaks my heart to leave you. When I told you I was moving out, you said, "Great... I'm losing my sister and my best friend". I want you to know that you're not losing me, and you never will. I'm starting the next chapter of my life in a new place with new people, but I want you to know I'll come back for you. I want you to know that I'll be back to see you as often as I can.

I've watched you grow up from a little baby waddling around in diapers to the mature little adult mushed into the 12-year-old boy you are now. You never fail to amaze me with how well you handle things. I know I can always trust you to be real with me and listen to me when I need you to. You give really good boy advice, too. Speaking of boys, thank you for protecting me from the mean ones in my life. Nobody will mess with me when you're around.

I know you look up to me, and I try my hardest to be a good role model for you. I mess up sometimes, yeah, but you never make me feel bad about myself for it. So, thank you for that.

I love sharing parts of my life with you that I know you'll appreciate. I love that you appreciate sushi as much as I do. I love when you find things that you're excited to share with me. I love trying (emphasis on "trying") to help you do your math homework (which is ridiculously hard for no reason). I love how you always tell me you love me when I leave the house. I love how you always kiss me on the cheek when you haven't seen me in a while. I love how sweet and kind you are to everyone around you. You make it easy to be a proud big sister.

I've loved watching you grow, and I know you'll keep being the mature, sweet, loving baby brother you always have been, regardless of how old you get. You're an incredible little dude.

Also, your photography skills are A+. Thanks for letting me drag you around and being a professional photographer anytime I need it. You really know how to work angles.

Just remember that no matter where I go or who I'm with or who I become, I'll always be your big sister who loves you very much. You can always call me if you need anything. I'm always down for late night pizza and Pokemon hunting no matter how far away I am.

Keep being you.

P.S. We still have to get our matching tattoos when you're old enough, too.

P.P.S. We'll have to be sneaky about the tattoos, because you know how mom feels about them.

Love,

Your big sister