It started with a friend request on Facebook. Then a "wave" via Messenger. November 8, 2017, is the day I first said “hey” to the person I have now adopted as my "little brother." Exactly six months before his 20th birthday. (May 8, 2018, for those that can’t do the math.)

I’m proud to call Jacob Head my "little brother."

We’re not related by blood, I’m smaller in stature and he’s older than I am (by one day).

But he’s my adorkablelittle brother.

I will never forget the first time I saw him in person at Catalyst.

I was on my way to the photo opportunity with the president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner.

I would have kept walking past Jacob, standing in a line of people, had I not noticed his cowboy hat.

I’m thankful that I can run in high heels because that’s what I did so I could hug my little brother for the first time.

Or as he put it, “football tackle” him.

I proudly told people at Catalyst that Jacob is my little brother. 

He sacrificed some of his time to help with my campaign for International Vice President of Division III for Phi Theta Kappa.

He encouraged me to let loose and be a goofball at the dances.

I’ll never forget when he changed my perspective with something he said:

“To be honest, everyone's a dork. It’s just a matter of ‘can you show it?’”

He was there to support me when I didn’t win the election. He even let me wear his cowboy hat that night.

You know you're special when a guy lets you wear his hat.

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We can have conversations only using GIF’s and completely understand what is being “said.”

He understands when I’m busy and instead of pestering me, he checks in to make sure I’m OK.

His reminders about the importance of sleep do help, even though I tend to ignore them.

He’s there for me no matter what.

While writing this, I was in the basement due to a tornado watch. Normally, I love watching shows like "Chicago Med."

I’ll be the first to admit that the combination of my nerves and emotions got to me.

Jacob offered to FaceTime me so that I wouldn’t be alone, even though he was sick.

I can safely say that my little brother knows what I like.

He’s worked to learn what I enjoy and shares things that remind him of me.

He introduced me to Odyssey and the Aspiring Journalism Professionals because he learned that I enjoy writing.

Growing up as an only child, I never fully understood the joy of having a sibling.

In less than six months, Jacob has shown me the joy that only siblings share.

Jacob has shown me that there’s no buddy like a little brother.

No matter what we face in life, I know that we will always have each other.

I am proud of the person that Jacob is and inspired by the person he wants to become.

There are no words to express how thankful I am for my “little brother.”