Dear Little Brother,

I just want to start this off by saying thank you.

Thank you for all the years of laughter that you've brought into our home, whether you were sprinting around the house as if it were a battlefield (fending off the pretend-enemy), or you were outside building random creations out of sticks, rocks, and electrical tape. You have always been able to bring a smile to my face.

Thank you for being the first boy that I could ever love beyond words and be oh-so-annoyed by at the same time. Every time you took one of my toys hostage (usually being held for "ransom"), made a mess that I ended up cleaning, or just completely disregarded my desire for personal space, I couldn't help but love every minute of it.

Thank you for being the shadow I could never escape. Whether we were having sleepovers in the living room, playing in the backyard, or just walking around with you piggy-backed on me (usually choking me), you taught me that it is possible for someone so small to love me so much.

Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Whether I ate those leftovers you were saving in the fridge, tricked you into doing my chores (you've always been gullible, it's not my fault), or "accidentally" told Mom and Dad that you were the one who broke it, you still loved me with every bit of yourself.

Thank you for knowing when someone isn't good enough for me.

Thank you for keeping me humble.

Thank you for making me look awesome in front of our parents when you do something absolutely ridiculous.

You taught me a lot of things that you will never understand, and continue to teach me.

Somewhere along the way, you've managed to grow out of the little goofball that I've known you as and grown into a pretty awesome man.

Even though you're growing up, you will always be the nerdy little child that followed me around for what feels like an eternity, and I'll love you for forever and a day.

So, thanks again for being one of the most important men in my life and for helping me grow into the person that I have become today. Without you, I would've had much too peaceful of a childhood to even be remotely prepared for the real world!

All in all, I love you, little brother. And I wouldn't trade you for the world.

Love,

Your (super awesome) Older Sister