Dear Andrew,

Having a older brother growing up made me fortunate, even if I didn’t realize it. You taught me to be tough (even though you made me cry a ton in the process). I know that you're always a phone call away, so if I need your help, you'll be there for me…that is if you pick up the phone. We never really had the best relationship, so I'm sure you're wondering why I'm writing this. We have gone through things that most kids shouldn’t have to. So we have this bond that connects us and whether you notice it or not, it is there.

I remember when you first went to high school, I was so scared. It was going to be the first time that we weren't going to be in the same school. I know it doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal, but being in the 5th grade, that was a big deal to me. However, when you started high school, it was also a blessing because that was when you met Ty and I gained another big brother to look up to, so thank you for bringing him into our lives.

When it came time for you to go off to college, I was used to you never being around because you were always working out or at your job, so that wasn’t that big of a transition. However, when I learnt that you had received the contract through ROTC to be in the army, it felt like my world fell apart a little until I got used to the idea. It never really hit me until our Senior year. This was my last year home and your last year in school. You would be going off into the real world and joining the army. Since I'm Mom's daughter and Grampy's granddaughter, it is in my genes to be a worrier. So the thought of you being in the Army terrified me. I still worry about you, but then I remember; this is what you love, that you're happy where you are, and that you're still on US soil and not overseas. I'm grateful and so proud to say that you're my brother.

To this day, I still get jealous of girls that have sisters because they're so close, but then I remember that I have something even better…I have you. Even though you will never admit it, you do look out for me and protect me. I know that you joke about it often, but when I bring a guy home for you to meet, Ty will be right there to back you up and make sure he is good enough for me. I know that if a guy breaks my heart, you would act as if it were just a minor thing, but on the inside you will be enraged. You will never know just how much you mean to me. I have no idea what life would be like if I didn’t have you as my older brother. Yes, we did fight a lot and still do, but that does not stop me from loving you. We may not have had all of the inside jokes like normal brother and sisters do, but we have each other. Basically, all I wanted to say with this was to say thank you. Thank you for putting up with me for all of these years. Thank you for letting me play video games with you even though I was terrible at them. Thank you for duct taping all our presents on Christmas. Thank you for just being my big brother.

Love always.

Bella