To my little Brother,
As I watched you walk across the football field last Friday night for senior night, I had a sudden realization; you are a grown up. My baby brother who played hotwheels and Barbies with me, who raced with me in the pool, (and usually won after you got as big as I was), had suddenly turned into an adult. And I had to hold back tears as I took pictures of you and mom, and dad, because for some reason it took me until then to realize that you weren't so little anymore.
I don't remember a time without you. You were always there for me, and at times against me as little brothers and sisters are. You taught me one of the most important lessons that life has to offer, and that is that you can love someone and hate them at the exact same time. I could be angry and upset at you and want to punch you in the face, but if anyone other than me or our sister said or did anything bad about you, they would then receive my wrath. I cannot picture a life without you in it, and I don't want to. However as we get older we will go our separate ways, soon we will no longer live in the same household together. I have a few things I need to say to you, as this chapter of life is beginning to end, and our time together will become less frequent, I need you to know just how much I love you.
The first full memory I have of you is teaching you to escape from your crib after nap time. For whatever reason mom wasn't coming to get you out, so I went across the hall to teach you how to climb out. You were crying and scared, but I got you out safely. Of course mom was none too happy about the fact that you now knew how to get out of your crib. But I was proud of you. I've always been proud of you. Strong, smart, successful, nothing but good things from every coach, teacher, mentor and parent that has ever met you. It used to make me mad, I wanted to be like you,but I was tired of being your sister, instead of you being my brother. You were charismatic, good with people, you always knew what to say at the right time to the right people.
I'm so proud of the man that you are, and the man that you are becoming. I'm proud of the fact that you played three sports, sang in choir, and have strived to be even better in all areas of your life. Making sure that you are well rounded. The thing I'm most proud of? Being your sister, there is nothing I'd rather be in this world than your sister. Thank you for being my brother, thank you for all the life lessons you have taught me, and have yet to teach me. Thank you for being you.
With fierce love,
Your big Sister
