Dear Little Brother,

From the day you were born, you've served an important role in my life. The day Mom and Dad brought you home from the hospital, you began your first job: being my real life baby doll. As a child, I was OBSESSED with baby dolls, but none of them would even come close to you. I got to hold you, dress you, help feed you, play with you and watch you in wonder and awe. And the best part was that whenever you had a stinky diaper or screamed or cried for no reason, I didn't even have to deal with it!!! (Thanks, Mom and Dad).

As you grew older, you ceased to become my real life baby doll and you became my playmate. Finally, you were able to do fun stuff with me like play outside and ride bikes and play pretend and explore the creek in our backyard. Don't get me wrong: we had our fair share of fights and arguments and at times we wanted to kill each other, but as soon as one of us got bored of playing by ourselves, we became best friends again and laughed and played.

Middle school brought hormones, voice cracks that I loved making fun of you for, and friends that began to take my place; but that's okay because I never doubted for a second that you still loved me and we would always be friends forever, our relationship was just changing.

Now here we are 15 years later and you're a freshman in high school while I'm a freshman in college. Life has been filled with ups and downs and we are completely different people than we were 1, 5, or 10 years ago. But through all the ups and the downs, the challenges, and the trials we've faced in this life, one thing has stayed the same; you're still my baby brother and I'm still your big sister.

Even when we're old and gray and raising hell in the nursing home, you're still going to be my baby brother. I love you and I am eternally grateful for the close relationship we have been blessed with. I just want you to know that no matter what you do, what you say, or where you go, I will ALWAYS be here for you. You're bigger and stronger than me now but I will still fight ANYONE who has the guts to try to mess with you. Never forget that you are loved beyond compare because you have a big sister.