To one of the most important people in my life,

A girl’s father is always one of the important men in their life, but not everyone gets to say that they have a brother, let alone a big brother. Although there were times when I would sit back and wish that I had a sister to do my hair and steal clothes from, I truly have learned that one of my biggest blessings was getting you as a brother, and it being just you and me all my life.

You have been there from the start.

Whether I liked it or not, I had an older brother that was not leaving my side. You were always there to keep me company and help me through everything our family went through. I have always been your sidekick and number one follower, and I have looked up to you from the start. No matter what, I knew that you were my number one supporter and number one friend.

You protect me.

When you hear about guys in my life, you are the first to investigate who he is and if he is worth my time. You are always the first one to tell me whether or not you liked certain friends, and most of the time you did not like the friends because you knew they were not true (and sadly, you were right about them). You have always been the best bodyguard I could have asked for.

You went to a great college before me and allowed me to visit.

Visiting you for the first time at college was the day I knew I was ready for college, even though I was only a sophomore in high school. You showed me around and brought me to all your parties to show me what college is about. You let me see my first college Greek life experience, my first college football game, and my first time in a college dorm.

You taught me everything I know about high school and college.

You were always able to tell me whether the teachers I got were going to cause me to go insane, whether my major was worthwhile, and how to have fun as well as do well in school. You went through everything before me, and you are always the first person I go to for advice about everything/anything.

You appreciate me more than anyone else.

You always believed that I was good at everything I do (even if I was truly terrible at it). You ask me for advice when you need it, and you show me that I am someone you can trust. You always check on me, and you are always the first to congratulate me with every success, big or small, I have. Even when we would argue, you were always willing to drop everything for me.

You broke the ice for me.

Lucky for me; I have always been ‘your little sister’. You broke the ice with mom and dad by getting in trouble so that they were less mad at me when I got in trouble. You broke the ice with all of my teachers from kindergarten to senior year because they had already known who I was because of my big brother. You set up the pathway for me to go, and I have followed you every step of the way.

You gave me high expectations for any future spouse.

Watching you deal with girls in your life; I have seen how they are supposed to be treated, and I admire you for that. You have given me a true idea of the type of guy that I someday want to find. From day one, I have always said that I will never marry a man who my father, but also my brother does not approve of, and I promise to stick to that until my wedding day.

You became my best friend.

Through every fight we have had, every situation we have gone through, and every lesson you have taught me, you have become my best friend. If I had to choose the one person in my life who always has my back, always is willing to give me advice, always supports me, and has always been by my side, it would be you.

I am so proud of the person you have become, and so proud to say that I have a brother like you in my life. Through everything and anything, you will always be my number one best friend, and you always have me as yours.

Love,

Your little sister