I remember like it was yesterday when Mom told me I was going to be a big sister. I was so excited. I would have someone to play Barbies with, someone to paint my fingernails, and someone to be my best friend. Then, I found out that my sibling was going to be a boy. So, while most of my plans for being a big sister changed, one did not.

I gained a life-long best friend. I have never had someone that I could laugh harder with or get into more trouble with. From the first time I held my brother in my arms, I knew that I had someone that would never let me down.

Flash forward several years down the road, and my baby brother is no longer a baby anymore. He’s taller than me. His voice is deep. He knows his manners and how to respect women. Don’t get me wrong; he’s not a complete adult, yet. I still drive him places, pay for his food, and let him use my Netflix account. These are memories that I will cherish forever.

One day, I won’t take him to soccer practice. He’ll buy my food. He will have his own Netflix account- well, maybe not. But the point is, he’s growing up too fast. The little brother that used to wreck my dollhouse and watch WWE is now more interested in Xbox and girls.

The sad thing is that I haven’t noticed him growing up that much because I’m still growing up myself, too. It’s sort of hit me all at once that one day we won’t see each other all the time. We won’t live in the same house. We’ll be married, have kids, and work hard at our jobs. It’s a scary thought when you realize that you may no longer be the most important person in his life.

I won’t be the person he comes home to every day and tells about how his day was. We won’t do something stupid and have the other one cover so we won’t get in trouble with Mom and Dad. All the little things that I never think about us doing will one day be gone.

I have a few more years left before he graduates high school and leaves for college, just like I did. I have a few more years of late night McDonald’s runs and making signs for his basketball games. Maybe the next time he asks me to play Xbox, I will. You see time is moving too fast. I don’t know how I missed my brother growing up to become such a great, young man.

I never thought growing up was a big deal. When I left for college and my whole family was in tears, I didn’t get it. Why are they so upset? I’ll be home every now and then. As I watch my brother get older though, I finally understand. Yesterday, he was three-years-old. Now, he’s about to start high school. Everything is moving too quickly, and I just want my baby brother to be a baby again. I want him to mess up my dollhouse, instead of getting his license. I want him to ask me to pay for his food, instead of having his own money.

Sadly, there is nothing I can do to stop him from growing up. But, I can enjoy watching him go through things I’ve already been through. I can give him advice. I can help him pick out his tux for prom. I can teach him how to parallel park. There are so many things I’m excited to see him experience, and the best part is, he will actually need my help for a little while longer.