Dear Michael,

Summer is coming to an end, and pretty soon you’ll be walking into the high school for the first time as a senior. Wow, that sentence was really weird for me to write. My baby brother is growing up. It seems like just yesterday we were “dance fighting” in the living room, with me bossing you around. I can’t believe I really used to think that I was in charge of you. I used to speak for you, tell you what to do and what to say. But that was my role as the big sister, and I wanted to thank you for letting me have that role in your life.

We’ve had our ups and downs, that’s for sure. Remember that time I swore on my life I was never going to speak to you ever again? Or the many times I bit you, leaving little scars from my teeth. I used to get so frustrated with you, claiming you were immature and not worth my time. But now we’ve both grown up and I consider you one of my good friends. Our sibling dates where we go get food are really quite a lot of fun.

You have grown into a wonderful young man. Remember to cherish these last fleeting moments of your childhood, before you go into the more adult world of college. You will no longer have Mom and Dad to wake you up for school. College is a large responsibility, but I know you’ll be ready for it. Cherish these last moments, though. Cherish your friends. High school may not have been your most favorite time, but some of your friends, as long as you chose the right ones, will be your friends until the very end.

Don’t be afraid to try new things this last year. Be social. Go to all the athletic events you can, because that’s one thing you’ll never get back. Yes, ISU has great sports teams, but you’ll never get the same crowd experience. You’ll never look out into the crowd at ISU and see more recognizable faces than non-recognizable faces. You’ll never be in the student section and know everyone there in some capacity. That’s the thing you’ll miss the most about Waukee. The people. Even the people you never spoke to, but just saw in the hall. Those first few weeks at Drake I kept having to turn around, thinking I saw someone from Waukee walking to class. And that’s when I realized what I was missing. The people in the Waukee environment. So don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone this year. It’s your senior year, do whatever you want; don’t let stupid high school society get in your way. Talk to whomever you want, make new friends. Just don’t let this time slip past you.

And remember little bro, I love you. I know you can set your mind to anything you want to do, so just go out and do it. Be the smart man I know you are, and I just know that one day everyone will know your name.