Leo,
My baby brother, my little ball of sunshine. You're getting big. So big, I don't know if I can call you my "baby" brother anymore. You turned five this summer! Where has all the time gone? It's as if I blinked and missed the part where you grew out of the stage of infancy. Nevertheless, I am so, so, so proud of all you've accomplished.
I wasn't able to constantly be by your side these past three years, but I am looking forward to seeing you more. Which reminds me--welcome home! As I write, you are currently sitting on the plane, in either my mom or grandma's lap, with my grandpa checking in on you every few minutes to make sure you're okay. Words cannot describe how proud I am of you for riding a plane. I know how anxious you get around people, I know how anxious you get hearing loud noises, I know how anxious you get just getting out of the house. I pray and I pray and I pray that you're feeling alright right now.
I can't wait to see you. It's been over two months since I visited you this summer, and I know you've grown quite a bit in the time I've been gone. You seem older every time I see you; your baby face is maturing into the handsome young man you are.
In the past three years, I have spent much less time with you than I would have preferred. However, I have cherished every moment that I did have with you. I loved all those sleepless nights this summer, watching over you and making sure you felt comfortable. I loved all those times I got to feed you, make medicine for you, or read to you from your favorite books. All those times I just simply held your hand and talked to you.
I've been busy as a bee preparing the house for your return. Our dad has been even busier. He's bought everything you need, from diapers to portable gas stoves to oatmeal. We've cleaned the house. Just this morning, our dad and I assembled this fancy contraption that carries extra cargo; we attached it to the back of the car for the purpose of hauling all eight suitcases you're bringing from the airport in Chicago to home in Grand Rapids.
Do you remember all the fun times we've had in this house? Do you remember me reading to you from my seventh grade history textbook? Do you remember sitting in my lap on the piano bench and hitting random keys? Do you remember practicing rolling over under the Christmas tree? Do you remember watching the Chinese New Years Festival on TV? Do you remember climbing to the bed's top bunk and playing with your favorite octopus stuffed animal? Do you remember me begging Mom to let me feed you?
I am beyond excited for your arrival. We're going to have so much fun! When I was younger, I promised you and Grandma and Grandpa that I would drive you around once I got my license; we would go anywhere you wanted. Just this past summer, I thought that I wouldn't be able to fulfill my promise because I didn't think you were coming home anytime soon. But now you're coming, and now I can drive! I am going to drive you everywhere, take you wherever you want! I can finally follow through with my promise to you.
Thanks for being my baby brother. Thanks for letting me love you, letting me take care of you, letting me learn from you. Thanks for coming home to me.
Safe travels,
Your sister who forever loves you
