I'll never forget the day that my dad told me we were going to be adding a younger sibling to our family. Mainly because I was 17 years old, and that's just not something you forget at that age. I was pretty excited, to say the least. I mean a baby brother or sister at that age meant I got to participate in all of the joys of an infant, but I didn't have to partake in any of the actual "work" that came with it.

As excited as I was, I must say I never thought it was going to be as joyous as it has been. My little brother Rece, now 4 years old, has become more than just a little brother. He's one of my best friends, just on a smaller scale.

Actually, he's better than a best friend. Why? Because we get to do things that best friends do, except we never come across any disagreements. Anything that I want to do, he's game, and anything that he wants to do, I'm game.

It's literally like having a "mini me" and it's perfect.

As Rece has started to grow up I have realized that these are the years that I have to soak in, because in just a few short years from now he won't be the same kid he is today. Right now I can vent to Rece about anything and I never have to worry about getting constructive criticism in return like I would from the older family members. The way he handles it is by offering me a pack of his favorite "gummy candies" and we'll continue to go about our day, which is all you ever need somedays.

Even though I absolutely love the age he is at now, I really am looking forward to watching him continue to grow. I can't wait to be able to tell him how thankful I am for everything he has done for me, directly or indirectly. For example, helping me not curse near as much as I used to. Because I'll be honest, the day he called our dog a "brown son of a b!+ch" did not go over very well with the family. I'm going to go ahead and take full responsibility for that event. Sorry dad.

He might not be too happy when he's old enough to realize how many times I tricked him into grabbing me a beer out of the cooler or running into the house to get something because I said, "I'll time you," but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Although, he will probably be happy to know about all of the conversations I've had with girls that seem to start with, "Tyler your little brother is so cute!!!" I am extremely thankful for that, for obvious reasons. Best wingman ever.

What I cherish the most though is the amount of fun we share together. No matter how old he is, I know that I will always enjoy the time I spend with him. Whether it's fishing, hunting, shooting his BB gun, or just laying around and doing nothing I can never think of a day I spent with my little brother that was not an absolute good time. And that is something that I will always cherish.

"Because brothers don't let each other wonder in the dark alone."