Dear Brother,

Being the younger sibling, I was always so jealous of you getting to do everything first. You were in high school first, you got to drive first, you went to prom first, you graduated high school first, you went to college first and now you are graduating from college first. Only this time, I’m not jealous; this time, I am thankful. I’m thankful I’ve had such an amazing role model as an older brother. An older brother who goes out of his way to help others. An older brother who always finishes what he starts. An older brother who goes after his dreams. An older brother who takes advantage of the opportunities given to him. An older brother who makes others laugh. An older brother who puts his heart into what he does. An older brother who has shown me that you have to work for what you want because things don’t get handed to you in life.

All of the times growing up that I swore I “hated” you for taking the last scoop of ice cream or picking a movie I didn’t want to watch, for teasing me or egging me on, for ratting me out to Mom and Dad or telling me I was being selfish, what I really meant to say was “thank you.” Thank you for teaching me so many lessons over the past 19 years. Thank you for making me realize that we don’t always get what we want, that we have to choose our battles wisely, that we should always do the right thing even when we think no one is watching and that life isn’t always about me. I’ve watched you grow up so much over the years, learning from some of your mistakes, but also learning from your successes.

These past 19 years have flown by. It seems like just yesterday we were moving you into your dorm for your freshman year of college. It seems like just yesterday you were going to your senior prom and graduating from high school. It seems like just yesterday you were learning to drive. It seems like just yesterday we were playing with your Legos and my baby dolls and making up games to play with the neighbors in the backyard or at the park. It seems like just yesterday we were both getting sent to our rooms for fighting. It seems like just yesterday we were going to summer camps and spending a week at Grandmama’s each summer. It seems like just yesterday we were fighting about what movie to watch next on the road trip. It seems like just yesterday that it was hard to believe we would be adults someday, but now “someday” is today, and you are graduating from college.

I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished in your first 22 years of life. It has been my pleasure to be known as “John’s little sister” to your friends, teachers, Boy Scout leaders and the like. As you enter a new chapter of your life, I am so excited to see what God has in store for you. Congratulations on your graduation, and your first 22 years of life. Here’s to 22 and many, many more with your little sister always looking up to you.

With Love Always,

Your Little Sis