To my older brother,

I know I don’t tell you all the time, but I am so grateful to have you in my life. You were my first best friend and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because of you, I am who I am today. I have a lot to thank you for, and this letter is dedicated to you.

Thank you for making me brave.

You always brought out the adventurous side in me. Whether it was pressuring me to take off my bike’s training wheels or inviting me to play manhunt with the big kids, I was a brave little one because of you. You opened my eyes to the scariest of movies, (which still scar me to this day), and even taught me how to skateboard. Despite how disappointed you were when you heard ‘It’s a girl!’, nothing stopped you from treating me like the little brother you never had.

Thank you for getting on my nerves.

The teasing was endless, and I’m confident you’ll still pick on me even in our old age. But I really owe you for being such a pain. Without you constantly getting under my skin, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am today. "Don’t give him a reaction!" Mom would say. Yeah -- easier said than done. But at the end of the day, I have you to thank for my thick skin. I bet you thought you’d never hear me say it, but thank you for being a little jerk.

Thank you for cheering me up.

You’re the one person in this world who can put a smile on my face every time. We have an infinite amount of inside jokes racked up over the years, and every single one of them makes me smile to this day. We laugh for hours over the silliest things, and for that I thank you. You’re my own personal comedian that can always get a laugh out of me.

Thank you for being my bodyguard.

No guy would dare think of doing me wrong with one look at you. You’re a threat to all guys without saying a word. As much as your overprotective brotherly instincts would piss me off, I’ve always appreciated it. No one looks out for me like you do.

Thank you for being my partner in crime.

We were quite the pranksters when we were little, always getting into trouble somehow. The amount of times Mom had to “separate” us is countless. From water gun wars to snap cap party poppers, we caused mayhem daily. I can guarantee when we’re old and gray, we’ll still be the same way, wreaking havoc any way we can. I cannot express how thankful I am for my partner in crime. You were and always will be my best friend and the best brother I could ask for. Every family has their own story, but without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I love you with all my heart.

Love always,

Your little sister