Hey old pal, you might want to grab some Kleenex because it’s about to get very real up in here.

I try not to get too sappy because that’s just not really our style, but I guess with everything going on lately and all the wake up calls – a little sappy never hurt anyone. Here goes…

Thank you for beating the shit out of me growing up. From tackling me, to pulling my hair, to punching me in the arm every time you saw a VW Bug to carrying me up the stairs by my ankles. It taught me to be tough and how to fight back. Thank you for teaching me not to be weak. (Although I might still be at least a little bit).

Thank you for always offering to get your flu shots first. You always showed me that it “wasn’t so bad.” (I agree now – shots are a cake walk).

Thank you for riding bikes with me and playing basketball in the driveway. I may have gotten dunked on more times than I’d like to count, but those are memories I can look back on and smile about.

Thank you for letting me “tag along” growing up. I know it’s not necessarily cool to have your little sister hanging around when you’re with your friends – but you always let me feel included in the fun.

Thank you for staying up with me playing Mario Kart on the GameCube all night Christmas Day. And basically all of Christmas Break. Perhaps that’s where I learned my “night owl” ways.

Thank you for helping me hold it together when mom and dad split. Thank you for letting me cry on your shoulder or just vent to you whenever something upset me. God only knows what I’d be like today if I didn’t have you for all of that.

Thank you for being disappointed in me. For getting upset with me. For genuinely caring about me and my future. That alone shows you’ve always been on my team.

Thank you for challenging me to eating competitions and apple juice chugging contests. Because of that I had far too many stomach aches, but also more memories.

Thank you for moving a bajillion miles away so our relationship could go stronger. And so I could have the opportunity to miss the living crud out of you.

Thank you for being at the hospital when my daughter was born and helping me laugh through each contraction. I can’t wait to be there when you have children someday.

Most of all, thank you for being my very best friend and sticking by me regardless of the mistakes I have made. Thank you for always cheering for me and motivating me. I truly don’t know what I would do without you. Thank you.

Love,

Sam