This is a letter to the person who I call family. No matter how much the family fights, we still manage to keep things together and in line, or it least we try. You're the one who I can tell stories about all day long and you won't get angry because you have the same dirt on myself. You're the family member who I can go way back with. You're the true definition of a family member and I love you so dearly. In fact, as you read this letter, odds are good that you will also be thinking of someone who resembles the same character in your life. So, here we go.

Dear Family Member,

Do you remember the first time when we really hung out? You know, back when we were only four feet tall and interested in what I got for my birthday? Just think about how much we have grown since then. No silly, you're still shorter me! So, not that kind of growth! Just think about how amazed we were when we got matching Nintendo DS Players and when we would stay up for hours behind our parents' backs to play together, even though I always lost at Mario Cart. That is, unless our parents are reading this now. That never happened.

Do you remember those times when we would sing Hannah Montana songs in the car (which totally drove everyone nuts) and, somehow, we still know all the lyrics to her songs? Do you remember that one time when I broke your finger and I thought that your dad was going to kill me? We've fought, argued, screamed, and taunted each other, but, somehow, we always found the room to love each other. In fact, throughout the years, you have always been the first one who I tell my secrets and all of my news to and I've been yours. We're two peas in a pod!

Somehow, in the past 17 years of knowing each other, we have managed to not hate each other and stay alive. How that is possible? I have no clue, but if I had to take a guess, it would be our parents' parenting skills. That means that they have skills like mad men to have kept up with us all of the time. It's a good thing that they'll be our kids grandparents one day. Looking back, our childhood has been pretty great together. In fact, it's not over yet! We still have to grow old together! I have to make sure that you don't leak my secrets! So, why not do that by pushing you down the hall in the wheelchair at the nursing home! The nurses are going to hate us. Can't you see it now?

Honestly, I can't think of my life without you! I could never be more thankful for you. So, remember the inside jokes and all of the crazy memories that we have made thus far, but save room for the new ones. We have a whole lifetime to make more.

Love,

Your Family Member