Dear Unrelated Brother,
You’ll often hear that friends are the family you choose. I owe you so many thank you’s, but the first is for choosing me to be a part of your family. I know when we first met, I was just your friend’s little sister, and not even one who was around very often. And seeing as I was a couple years younger, it could have been weird or annoying letting me tag along with you guys. But you did it anyway, and from that moment on, I’ve always been so happy to have you in my life.
Thank you for giving me a hard time. You’re not really a brother if you don’t give your sister a little crap. From teasing me about my small town life (I still think turtle races are awesome) to acting like I don’t know Harry Potter (yeah, right), I appreciate all the laughs, even if I act mad.
Thank you for helping me be a little rebellious. You took me to one of my first parties, back when I wouldn’t drink a drop. And when I finally did drink, you snuck me some from your cup. Even now, encouraging me to skip class every once in awhile. You remind me not to take life too seriously.
Thank you for remembering me when you have a million things going on. Because not everyone would make time for a lunch date when they only have a little time at home. And because phone calls on my birthday are a million times better than another message on Facebook.
Thank you for staying positive. When I’m ready to give up on people or on myself, you are the one telling me that things will turn around. Even if I don’t want to believe it, you’re so sure, it’s like I don’t have a choice. And when you’re right, there isn’t even a hint of an “I told you so.” I admire how you keep looking up when life tries to knock you down.
Thank you for always listening. It doesn’t matter if it’s drama that I’ll be over in a week or about people you’ve never met, you listen and you always seem to know just what to say. Just being able to get stuff off my chest is the only solution I really need.
Thank you for having my back. The number of times that you’ve offered to make a crazy long trip to beat someone up for me should probably concern me, but it’s good to know that I will always have someone who’s there for me and who won’t let people mistreat me.
Thank you for being you. You’re a lot of things, some good and some bad, but I wouldn’t change one of them.
Love,
Your Unrelated Sister
