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10 Reminders For Your Little Brother, For When You're Not Around To Remind Him

I don't care if we live 14 hours away from each other or under the same roof, you will always be my best and closest friend.

bailsamic

Jan 28, 2019

University of Rhode Island

2588

brother and sister taking photo in ocean

Bailey Vanderveen

One of the most difficult things about leaving for college was moving away from my brother. The summer before my freshman year, we could both drive and were always out doing things with our friends, but we somehow managed to spend more time with each other than I could keep up with. We'd have movie nights together and go out to eat and just sit on our favorite white leather couch with our dogs and talk about anything and everything.

Since I've been away, I've compiled this list of all of the things I hope he remembers while I'm off at school and not around to remind him.

I am so so proud of you

I know junior year isn't easy. I know that divorce isn't easy. I know trying to balance every aspect of your life is hard, but you somehow make it look absolutely flawless. I am so proud of all your accomplishments, big and small, and I cannot wait to see what you do in the future.

You do not need to have every little thing figured out

Just because I've known what I wanted to do for a while does not mean that you need to. You have so much time to think about your future, but I don't want you to get so caught up thinking about it that you forget to enjoy right now. It's also OK to be vulnerable. Don't let anyone tell you that it isn't.

Work for it

I know you've got goals and dreams and aspirations. I love that. But you need to work for them to make them happen. Also, don't forget I'm here to support you along the way. You gained a lifelong cheerleader the day that you were born, dude.

I will always be here for you, no matter what

Nothing you can do will change the fact that you are my brother and I love you.

Hug Mom and Dad and the dogs for me

Seriously...do it.

Your thoughts and ideas matter to the world

The high school you go to is massive. I know because I went there. A lot of the time, it's hard not to get caught up in it all. Remember that you have something that no one else can bring to the table: your ideas, thoughts, aspirations, projects, goals, etc. And all of those are very important.

You can call me whenever you want

You find a funny meme at 1 a.m., send it. You want to chat after school gets out at 4, call. You want to destroy me in 8-Ball via text message, let's play. I will always have time for you.

I don't have all the answers, but I'm an open book if you have questions

I'd like to think that we're pretty honest with each other about most things. You know more about me than a lot of people, and vice versa. Ask me anything.

I really do appreciate all of the little things you do

When you recommend a show on Netflix because you think I'd like it, or when you get me a snack when you're in the kitchen, or when you offer to drive me places, or walk the dogs with me... I notice and I can't thank you enough for all of the little things that you do.

Most importantly, I love you

Mom used to tell us that we would be best friends someday. As a kid, I never fully got that. Throughout the years, though, as we've both been through some things and experienced more of the world, I started to see just how right she was. When something good happens, you're the first person I want to tell. You are the coolest dude I know and I cannot imagine my life without you, even if I was born 19 months before you. I love you so much and I hope you know that.

Don't think that this little message means I'm going to stop making fun of you. I definitely won't. Just know, it's all out of love. Someone has to keep you in line. Just kidding. But seriously. You're my best friend. Thank you, kid.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

North Carolina State University

1297

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

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Recommended for you

10 Reminders For Your Little Brother, For When You're Not Around To Remind Him

I don't care if we live 14 hours away from each other or under the same roof, you will always be my best and closest friend.

I am so so proud of you

You do not need to have every little thing figured out

Work for it

I will always be here for you, no matter what

Hug Mom and Dad and the dogs for me

Your thoughts and ideas matter to the world

You can call me whenever you want

I don't have all the answers, but I'm an open book if you have questions

I really do appreciate all of the little things you do

Most importantly, I love you

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Appreciation for some of life's most discredited pleasures.

1. Sun showers

2. Smiles

3. Tight hugs

4. Discovering new foods you like.

5. Laying in bed after a long day.

6. And being completely relaxed

7. "This reminded me of you"

8. Breakfast foods

9. Over-sized clothes

10. Contagious laughs

11. Car rides with that one person

12. Random (I miss you/ I love you) texts

13. The city at night

14. Surprises

15. Blanket cocoons

16. Good hair days

17. Really good coffee

18. Days where you're in a good mood naturally and for no particular reason

19. Conquering a fear

20. When they give you a lot of guac at Chipotle

21. Being so comfortable with someone that you can literally talk about anything

22. Home-cooked meals

23. Tattoo stories

24. Leaves changing color in fall

25. Butterflies in your stomach

26. Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches

27. When you can't stop laughing

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Want to know more about beer?

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

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1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)