Fifteen years ago, my family was awaiting a baby boy, this baby boy just so happened to be my brother and let me tell ya, I was not excited.

Little did I know this tiny human would become one of the most important people in my life.

At first, I didn’t like him. I was jealous, or so I have been told I was jealous. The stories my family can tell about my hatred toward my newly born brother are rather hysterical.

But we both grew older and the mood lightened, slightly. We have fist fought, scratched, kicked, and fought to the finish multiple times. Your average “MOM, GET HIM OUT OF MY ROOM!!” argument was a daily thing.

This continued for years, up until I was a freshman in high school and he was in fifth grade did we begin to get along. At this age something crucial happened to our family and nothing was ever the same between us.

If there’s one positive thing I can say came out of our parents’ divorce, it’s definitely the relationship my brother and I have. Now we are inseparable.

Thank you for forgiving me when I wanted mom to send you back (I’m glad she didn’t).

Thank you for always having my back, even when I’m out of my mind, which is most of the time, you still go along with my ideas.

Thank you for always being concerned about my happiness, you always find a way to brighten my darkest days.

Thank you for being strong when I’m weak, this rarely happens but when it does you always make sure I’m okay.

Thank you for being my sidekick and my partner in crime, we do a lot of wild things together and I would be so sad if you weren’t there to do these “wild” things with me.

Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on, although when I cry all you can get out is “Kallee stop crying,” I appreciate the effort.

Thank you for loving me when I’m being a brat (I’m sorry for being a brat).

Thank you for laughing uncontrollably with me.

Thank you for keeping me sane on weekend vacations that are miserable (you know the one I’m talking about in particular).

Thank you for being my shotgun rider and keeping the aux on fire.

Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to get dirty, even though I’m still trying to be okay with it.

Thank you for letting me call you “little baby” even though you’re not little or a baby.

Thank you for teaching me how to stand my ground and throw a punch.

Thank you for teaching me to be tough.

Thank you for all you do, without you I would be lost. Since being at college I’ve noticed the impact you’ve had on my life and I can’t thank you enough.I love you so much and I’m so glad mom didn’t take you back.

My brother has the kindest heart I know.

He is genuine. He loves with everything in him, he doesn’t like to see people upset and he sure doesn’t like when someone is upset with him. He wants to make everyone happy, this is such an amazing trait to have.

If anyone knows my brother, they know that he is ALWAYS smiling. He smiles constantly, he’s such a happy person all the time, no matter the situation, and I envy him for that.

He is hands down one of the funniest humans on this planet. His sense of humor is one that can leave an entire room in tears from laughter.

I’m so thankful for you and our relationship.

Oh, and happy 15^th birthday!

Love, Kal.